WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684/00 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Fire emergency in Italy.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, European forestry policy, Italy, competence of the Member States, fire, fire protection, forest conservation

C 136 E/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

An important part of the Community efforts in the area of HIV acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS) is channelled through the special HIV/AIDS and Population budget line B7-6212.

Specific collaborative research activities with developing countries geared to reproductive health are also
covered by the Community international cooperation with developing countries (INCO-DEV) programme,
which is administered under the regular Community research budget.

(2001/C 136 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684/00

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Fire emergency in Italy

Taking into consideration:

(cid:129) that the Community and the Member States set particular store by conservation of woodland and
forest resources and have entered into commitments at international level to promote sustainable
development of forest and forest ecosystems (as evidenced by Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 (1) and
COM(1999) 379 (2)). The Union(cid:146)s southern countries are being affected by desertification, and the
woodlands of
the Mediterranean maquis consequently have a vitally important role to play in
preserving the ecosystems of these arid and semi-arid areas;

(cid:129) that in Italy many fires have been started with criminal intent, in particular the serious fire in the
Ostia pine forest near Rome,
the local authorities was a further
in which the negligence of
contributory factor (open spaces are not cleaned or properly maintained, supervision is inadequate,
and there is not enough emergency equipment such as hydrants). Under the decree of 29 March 1996,
published in the Italian Official Gazette, the parkland was made a State nature reserve of the (cid:145)Roman
coast(cid:146). The City of Rome is responsible for management, which is financed by the necessary funds;

(cid:129) that the law laying down appropriate punishments for pyromaniacs has still to be discussed in the
Italian Chamber of Deputies, and the draft outline law, approved by the Senate on 28 July 1999, has
been blocked since September in the Italian Parliament(cid:146)s Environment Committee.

Can the Commission say what it thinks about the delays by both the Italian Parliament and the City
1.
of Rome in implementing the complete range of legislative and operational measures required to prevent
fires?

2.

Can it express a general view on the matter?

(1) OJ L 326, 21.11.1986, p. 2.
(2) OJ C 307 E, 26.10.1999, p. 32.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2000)

1.
Although the fight against both criminality and fires is a matter for the Member States, the
Commission hopes that appropriate legislative and operational measures will be implemented as soon as
possible, in particular in the region of the Lazio.

2.
The Commission entirely agrees with the Honourable Member about the importance of safeguarding
Mediterranean forestry ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions and the need to take effective prevention
and monitoring measures.

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/77

That is why on 17 July 2000 the Commission, acting under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92, of
23 July 1990, (1) approved a programme for the prevention of forest fires presented by the Italian
government for implementation in 2000 which costs € 3,68 million, of which the Community will
contribute € 1,67 million. This programme provides for surveillance measures in forests such as the
provision of off-road vehicles to provide initial assistance and the acquisition of radio equipment, the
construction of tracks, fire breaks and water points, training measures and research into the causes of fire
and public information campaigns.

The rural development programme for the region of Lazio approved by the Commission on 20 July 2000
included measures to prevent and combat forest fires. The implementation of these measures could make a
useful improvement to the situation of forest fires in this region, provided the plan to protect the forests in
this region is forwarded to the Commission and receives a favourable opinion.

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.

(2001/C 136 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2689/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Remuneration of Commission employees

What is the average post-tax and post-social security remuneration of a Commission employee in euros,
and what percentage of the EU average post-tax and post-social security remuneration does that amount
represent?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2000)

The average post-tax and post-social security remuneration of a Commission employee is estimated at
€ 65,000 per annum. The arrangements for remuneration of Community civil servants in all Institutions
are, of course, the same.

The Commission does not have figures for average post-tax and post-social security remuneration across
the Community.

However, a comparative study of the remuneration of officials of the European Institutions has recently
been carried out by independent consultants (1). It was forwarded to the Parliament on 13 April 2000 and
can be found at http://www.cc.cec/guide/remun/info.htm.

The study demonstrated that the net remuneration of the staff of the Community Institutions was lower
than that of staff at the same level in multinational companies, similar to, and in some respects lower than,
comparable staff serving in the Member States(cid:146) Permanent Representations in Brussels, and close to that of
comparable staff in other international organisations.

(1) Comparative study of the Remuneration of Officials of the European Institutions, carried out in 1999-2000 by PLS
Consult A/S in co-operation with the Danish Management Forum and comparing the remuneration of staff of the
European Institutions with the remuneration of a number of reference organisations including civil servants of five
Member States, staff of three international organisations comparable with the EU and employees of five multi-
national companies located in at least five countries.