WRITTEN QUESTION E-3586/00 by Raina Echerer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Replacement afforestation under LIFE projects.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, EAGGF, afforestation, clearing of land, grassland, stagnant water

C 163 E/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

If amendments were required because the report on the application revealed that, even after harmonisa-
tion, obstacles to the internal market would continue or in view of developments in information
technology and the state of progress of information society, these would be announced in the context of
the report.

(2001/C 163 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3586/00

by Raina Echerer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Replacement afforestation under LIFE projects

inadequate maintenance. The fact

Bogs, marsh areas, dry grasslands and sandy grasslands are among the most endangered habitats in our
rural landscape. They are the last refuges of many endangered species of plants and animals. The extent of
these habitats has decreased dramatically in recent decades because of increasingly intensive land use, but
tree cover (Austrian Forestry Law,
also because of
section 4(1))
leads to
considerable conflict with nature conservation interests. For example, if woody plants start encroaching on
bogs, marsh areas, dry grasslands and sandy grasslands and reach this extent of cover, they can be removed
only when an appropriate clearance authorisation has been obtained, i.e. replacement afforestation could
be required. As nature conservation has no equivalent legal instruments at its disposal there is a constant
decline in these habitats.

is to be treated legally as woodland once cover extends to 50 % of the area,

that natural

Under a LIFE nature project of the office of the Lower Austria regional government, with 60 % EU
financing, sandy habitats are to be enhanced. To enable particularly valuable habitats to be permanently
returned to sandy grassland small-scale clearances (about 10-12 hectares) are planned in various locations
under this project.

Can replacement afforestation required by the authorities be co-financed under LIFE projects via the rural
development programme (Regulation (EC) 1257/1999) (1)?

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Article 38.1 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999, on support for rural development
from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain
Regulations lays dow that (cid:145)payments may not be made in respect of the same measure under both this
Regulation and another Community support scheme(cid:146).

(cid:145)Substitution afforestation(cid:146) is a legal obligation deriving directly from the conservation measure supported
by the Life-Programme,
it is not possible to cofinance this action by the Austrian rural development
programme.

(2001/C 163 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3591/00

by Linda McAvan (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Welfare of poultry for slaughter in Spain

The Commission has published a report of a mission carried out by it Food and Veterinary Office in Spain
from 18 to 29 October 1999 concerning the production of poultrymeat (DG (SANCO) 1213/1999-MR
Final). Paragraph 3.9.3 of the report reveals that bad stunning procedures were procedures were observed