WRITTEN QUESTION E-2348/00 by Véronique Mathieu (EDD) to the Commission. Sixth Community action programme for the environment.
Date: 2000-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, EU programme, civil defence, environmental risk prevention, man-made disaster, natural disaster

C 136 E/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

(2001/C 136 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2348/00

by VØronique Mathieu (EDD) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Sixth Community action programme for the environment

At the Helsinki European Council of December 1999, the Commission was called on to prepare a proposal
for the sixth Community action programme for the environment.

Does this programme (to be adopted for 2001) include provision for stronger action in environ-

1.
mental emergencies?

2.
If so, in what form will the necessary environmental disaster prevention measures be linked to the
Community action programme for civil protection established by the Council decision of 9 December
1999?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 2000)

The civil protection action programme is the most important platform of co-operation between the civil
protection services at different levels in the Member States. However, practical experience from recent
disasters (cid:129) both natural and technological (cid:129) indicated clearly the current shortcomings and the variety of
threats for and from modern society. Therefore, the protection of people, the environment and property,
including cultural heritage, from risks remains a substantial challenge for the governments of the Member
States and the Community.

The accident risks need to be tackled by a global approach for assuring safety within a coherent and
consolidated framework for assessing, managing, reducing and as far as possible, eliminating these risks in
society. Furthermore, such a risk management regime must be made transparent and understandable
outside expert circles in order to achieve active public participation and confidence. Within such a
framework due account must be taken of the level (cid:129) ranging from local to Community (cid:129) at which
action will be most effective from a practical perspective. Obviously, the local level must have the main
direct responsibility for the safety of the citizens. The Community level can play a significant role in
development of common guidelines and providing an important platform for exchange of experience as
well as for co-ordination of transboundary accidents.

The Commission will reflect on whether and how environmental emergencies will be tackled within the
framework of the new environmental action programme. Enhanced actions are envisaged within a future
in
consolidated civil protection framework for dealing in a wider perspective with accidental risks,
particular those related to environmental emergencies.

(2001/C 136 E/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2374/00

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Genres programme

During the previous Commission the Genres programme was set up to ensure that valuable genetic
resources in farmed plant and animal species are properly evaluated and conserved. This programme
received strong support from the Parliament, operates with a modest budget and grants are allocated, no
more than 30, on a competitive basis.