WRITTEN QUESTION E-3865/00 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Environmental rehabilitation of Mt Mainalo.
Date: 2000-12-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Peloponnese, afforestation, biotope, erosion, fire protection, forest conservation, operational programme

C 187 E/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

The Commission has publicly invited all textiles exporting WTO members to show their willingness to
engage in such market access talks and a number of them have already expressed interest.

So far the Commission has been able to negotiate and initial an agreement with Sri Lanka. Under the deal
initialled on 5 December 2000, Sri Lanka will reduce and bind tariffs on Community textile exports, while
the Community will suspend the four textiles quotas currently applicable on Sri Lanka(cid:146)s exports to the
Community.

Other third countries have expressed interest and the Commission is presently engaged in exploratory talks
with these third countries.

(2001/C 187 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3865/00

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Environmental rehabilitation of Mt Mainalo

(8 December 2000)

Some four months have now elapsed since the catastrophic fires which ravaged Arcadia and in particular
the fir forest of Mt Mainalo which is a geomorphological site unparalleled in Greece. Because of its special
environmental significance, Mt Mainalo has been included in the Natura 2000 network, while 5 of the 33
species of amphibian found in the region are referred to in Community Directive 92/43/EEC (1) and are
protected by Greek legislation and the Bern Convention; one of these species is found nowhere else in the
Peloponnese.

Local citizens and social, environmental and political bodies are concerned that work to begin rehabilitat-
ing the destroyed forest and wooded areas has been delayed, and there are fears that, owing to the lack of
anti-erosion measures, erosion (cid:129) particularly on sloping ground (cid:129) will frustrate efforts to rehabilitate the
forest. Furthermore, I have received complaints that steps are being taken to tarmac forest tracks which
will make it easier to drive to the most remote shelters in this wild region, thus leading to an upsurge in
poaching and noise and atmospheric pollution and posing a risk of fire which will in turn nourish well-
founded expectations that the land will be developed.

Will the Commission say what measures the Greek Government has taken to draw on Community funds
to tackle the disasters which have struck Mt Mainalo?

Have the relevant Greek authorities submitted specific programmes with a detailed description of the
reforestation, anti-erosion and flood prevention projects and actions planned for the region? If so, when?
More generally as regards the regions included in Natura 2000, a Commission representative recently told
the European Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on the Environment that, where no protection was provided for
regions included in Natura 2000, structural fund aid would be suspended.

Do any management plans exist for the protected regions, and are there any management bodies to
promote the implementation of such plans in Greece?

Are the nature conservation agencies in Greece adequately staffed or are there any weaknesses or
shortcomings here?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

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

(8 February 2001)

Mt Mainalo is included in the list of sites of Community importance proposed by Greece by virtue of
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna
and flora. In view of the future inclusion of the site in the Natura 2000 network, the national authorities
have to ensure that its conservation value is preserved.

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/73

A LIFE-Nature project is currently underway, aiming at the conservation and management of that area.
According to preliminary information provided by the beneficiary of the project (local development agency
(cid:145)Arcadia SA(cid:146)), the Natura 2000 site has not been affected by the recent forest fires. Detailed information is
expected soon, in the context of the contractual obligations of the beneficiary, which will enable the
Commission to form a clear view of the situation.

A significant number of management plans have been made in Greece for proposed Natura 2000 sites
through Community co-funded projects. However, the practical
implementation of these management
plans (requiring completion of the relevant legislative procedures and establishment of management
bodies) has suffered until now from significant delays.

The final version of the (cid:145)Peloponnese-regional operational programme (ROP)(cid:146), to be approved early this
year, includes preventive and protective measures for forests including for the areas covered by Natura
2000 as well as measures to restore forests damaged by fires. Details of the above will be developed by
Greece in the programming complement which will be prepared after the (cid:145)Peloponnese-ROP(cid:146) has been
approved.

The Commission cannot express an opinion on the staffing or functioning of national nature conservation
authorities and agencies, since this is a Member State competence.

(2001/C 187 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3866/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(8 December 2000)

Subject: WEEE (cid:129) incineration of plastic

Is the Commission aware of the development and operation of state-of-the-art waste incinerators in which
waste plastic can be used as fuel? Is the Commission aware that this new type of incinerator has either
very low levels or zero emission of hazardous substances?

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

(22 February 2001)

The Commission will start the work on a guidance document on best available techniques (BAT) in the
field of waste incineration in the second half of 2001. Normally the work should be finalised within two
years. The so-called BREF (BAT reference document) will include the determination of the best available
techniques for air and water emissions and energy efficiency.

The minimum standard for incinerators at European level is described in Directive 2000/76/EC of the
Parliament and the Council of 4 December 2000 on the incineration of waste (1).

The Commission is aware that the great improvements have been made in the field of incineration of
waste plastic in an environmentally friendly way, where energy is recovered at a high level and emissions
of pollutants into air and water are very low.

(1) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000.