WRITTEN QUESTION E-1965/01 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pine-tree processionary caterpillar in Greece.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, conifer, defoliation, insect, plant health treatment

C 134 E/8

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

(e) New working methods have been introduced for the geographical departments and the Office, and the
consistency and quality of programming will be closely monitored. Evaluation will be given a
substantially higher profile.

(f) The logical

framework, which normally is attached to every financing proposal, makes specific
provision for objectively verifiable indicators, (mainly constraints of staff and time to ensure sufficient
attention to detail in the process of preparing/designing projects), but indicators are indeed sometimes
inadequate. In this regard the Commission’s decision of 16 May 2000 (2) on the reform of its external
assistance programmes makes specific provision to further strengthen both its methodology and its
training arrangements. In the last few years the Commission has greatly expanded training in project
preparation for both headquarters and field staff, as well as for counterpart officials of partner
governments.

(1) MEDA = Financial and technical measures to accompany the reform of economic and social structure in the

framework of the euro-mediterranean partnership.

(2) SEC(2000) 814.

(2002/C 134 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1965/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Pine-tree processionary caterpillar in Greece

(5 July 2001)

Can the Commission state whether it is aware of the problems caused by the pine-tree processionary
caterpillar in Greece and what corrective action it is taking or intends to take?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

forest

(Thaumetopoea pityocampa
Defoliation of
Denis & Schiffermüller) has been a problem for some time now in the southern regions of the Union.
The worst affected species are the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and the Corsican pine (Pinus nigra). As a
rule, trees attacked by the caterpillar are stunted, but they do not usually die as a result of defoliation.

the pine processionary

caterpillar

trees by

In the autumn and winter of 2000, damage in Greece was mainly observed near large cities, such as
Athens and Salonika. According to the inventory of damage in Greece in 2000 drawn up by the
Community forest monitoring network, out of a total sample of 422 pines covered by 22 observation
points, 29 % of Aleppo pines and 25 % of Corsican pines had been damaged by pine processionary
caterpillars.

Forest health protection is a matter for the local authorities. In Greece, both biological control (treatments
using Bacillus thuringiensis) and mechanical treatments were applied in autumn 2000 in the worst affected
areas, mainly in or near towns and villages. The treatments will be repeated in autumn 2001.

(2002/C 134 E/009)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1985/01

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 July 2001)

Subject: Promoting the use of marker vaccines

It has been noted in recent months and years that when there are outbreaks of infectious animal diseases
like swine fever or foot and mouth, the policy of mass slaughter of animals in certain countries has run up
against increasing resistance from the public.