WRITTEN QUESTION E-2788/01 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Death of migratory birds on the Øresund Bridge.
Date: 2001-10-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, EC Directive, Sweden, bird, protection of animal life, urban centre

C 134 E/102

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

The Commission considers that the reduced opening period of the call did not unduly disadvantage
sufficiently mature consortia. Proposers who were not at a sufficient state of readiness will have the
opportunity to submit on the 2001/2 call, which will be open for a period of approximately three months.

It should be noted that in the evaluation of received proposals, four were rated ‘A’, which compares with
only two which received this rating in the evaluation of the 2000/2 call. This appears to confirm that the
short opening period did not impede the presentation of good quality proposals.

44 proposals were received in response to the call. Co-ordinators of five proposals had previously been
co-ordinator in TEN-Telecom projects or projects now under negotiation.

(2002/C 134 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2788/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Death of migratory birds on the Øresund Bridge

(9 October 2001)

During long flights migratory birds chiefly navigate by the stars. This ‘map’ is lost when the weather is
overcast or foggy, so that the birds are misled by the light of illuminated buildings, streets etc. They often
collide with obstacles or choose the street itself as an emergency landing place. This phenomenon is of
particular importance in such places as the Øresund Bridge (between Sweden and Denmark), which is
brightly illuminated in foggy conditions, and on which approximately 1 000 birds, mostly rare, can die on
one foggy day.

1.

2.

Has any research been carried out into this phenomenon?

Is it possible to divert the birds from buildings and streets etc. which are potentially lethal to them?

3. What efforts are being made by the Commission to protect the birds?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 2001)

Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1) provides a legal
framework for the protection of all wild bird species as well as their habitats within the Community.
However, it is for the individual Member States to ensure appropriate protection of the different bird’s
species, in accordance with the requirements of the directive, taking the necessary preventive measures to
avoid significant negative influences on bird populations.

The Commission is aware that the Öresund area between Sweden and Denmark is important for migratory
birds and contains special protected areas. It is not aware that a significant number of migratory birds die
following collision with the Öresund bridge as a result of poor orientation during unfavourable weather
conditions.

There are a number of studies about birds and collisions with large structures, which deal particularly with
the problems posed by high voltage transmission lines and glass walls on buildings. Solutions to minimise
the problem of bird collisions need to be based on appropriate scientific studies and adapted to the
particularities of the local conditions.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.