WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033/01 by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Destruction of Maytenus sengalensis plants in the Artos del Ejido Site of Community Interest, Almería (Spain).
Date: 2001-04-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, EU financing, Spain, application of EU law, environmental law, environmental protection, protection of animal life

C 340 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

principle of economic and sustainable water management and during implementation of the programme
every care will be taken to regulate recourse to ground waters by boreholes and, if necessary, restrictive
measures, or even bans, imposed on the digging and use of boreholes.

The diversion of the Acheloos river towards Thessaly is not part of this CSF and the Commission received
no proposal for part-financing for it. Such a proposal was submitted in 1994 under the CSF for 1994-
1999 but lapsed because the Greek authorities took no further action on it. If this proposal were submitted
again, the Commission would examine it in the light of the rules in force.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991.

(2001/C 340 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033/01

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Destruction of Maytenus sengalensis plants in the Artos del Ejido Site of Community Interest,

Almer(cid:237)a (Spain)

The Artos del Ejido area is located in Almer(cid:237)a province (southern Spain) and it was declared a Site of
Community Interest (SCI) on 26 January 2001 under the Habitats directive.

Despite the protection afforded by this directive, environmental associations, social organisations and
political parties have condemned the actions of the El Ejido local authorities, who have been destroying the
vegetation of the SCI since 19 January 2001. Fifty hectares (equivalent to 80 % of the SCI) have so far been
destroyed.

The SCI hosts a most unusual ecosystem which is specially adapted to the semi-desert climate prevailing in
the area and which is home to species protected under the Birds directive (e.g. the stone-curlew) and to
valuable flora such as the Maytenus sengalensis, a plant which grows only in this protected area and in
North Africa.

The local and regional authorities have so far done virtually nothing to prevent the ecosystem in question
from being completely destroyed.

What action is the Commission intending to take in order to ensure that the Birds and Habitats directives
are applied and that the environment, the flora and the fauna of the Artos del Ejido nature reserve are
protected?

What action does it intend to take in order to restore the part of the SCI which has already been
destroyed?

Can the Commission confirm whether or not
(the authority
responsible) has received Community funds intended to protect the area concerned? If so, what EU
programmes or funds are involved? Has the Commission determined whether or not the funds in question
have been properly used? If they have not, will it seek financial compensation?

the Andalusia Regional Government

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

(17 May 2001)

The Commission was not aware of the situation described by the Honourable Member. However, it has
checked that the area was proposed by Spain as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) (cid:129) ES 6110014
(cid:145)Artos del Ejido(cid:146) (cid:129) for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1). This area contains at
least four of the habitat types listed in Annex I to the Directive, including two priority ones (*5220 (cid:129)
Arborescent matorrals with ziziphus and 6220* (cid:129) Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals (Thero-
Brachypodietea).

4.12.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/153

The species of bird mentioned by the complainant in the complaint attached to the written question (cid:129) the
stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) (cid:129) is covered by Annex I to Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April
1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2).

The Commission will therefore contact the Spanish authorities shortly to ask for information on the
situation reported, in order to ensure that Directive 92/43/EEC is being correctly applied in this case.

It would be premature to take a decision on restoring the area before the Spanish authorities(cid:146) reply has
been received and examined by the Commission.

The Commission has asked the Spanish authorities whether the project in question received cofinancing
under the Structural Funds and it will inform the Honourable Member of their reply.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2001/C 340 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1040/01

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Spanish central government(cid:146)s budget dogmatism,

imposing a zero deficit by law on the state

budget and on the budgets of the autonomous communities

Does the Commission consider it appropriate and necessary or legitimate, with a view to complying with
the Stability and Growth Pact adopted by the Amsterdam European Council in 1997, that a government,
in this case the Spanish government, should impose a zero deficit by law on the drawing-up of the state
and autonomous community budgets,
their constitutionally guaranteed
autonomy?

in the latter case,

ignoring,

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2001)

Spain, as a member of the Monetary Union, has committed itself to respect a medium-term objective for
the general government budgetary position of close to balance or in surplus. This objective was established
in the (cid:145)Stability and Growth Pact (1)(cid:146). It is broadly accepted that the achievement of this goal provides
a stable macroeconomic framework on a sound basis and contributes to improve the medium-term
prospects of the Spanish economy.

The Council Opinion on the January 2001 updated stability programme of Spain encouraged the
continuation of fiscal consolidation and considered that the budgetary adjustment would be facilitated by
its being shared by all levels of government.

However, the Commission does not advocate any specific form regarding the necessary internal co-
ordination between the different general government sub-sectors so as to fulfil the objectives of the
Stability and Growth Pact. This issue is for the decision of each Member State.

Likewise, the Commission cannot assess the constitutionality of the draft budget reform law (Law of
Budgetary Stability) currently under discussion in the Spanish Parliament.

(1) OJ C 236, 2.8.1997.