WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451/02 by Paul Lannoye (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Decline in Eleonora's Falcon population in Crete.
Date: 2002-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Crete, EU environmental policy, application of EU law, bird, pesticide, plant health legislation, protected species, protection of animal life

C 301 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

One problem for these players is that Structural Fund projects are expected to be large. Because payments
are made after the event, even project launches pose difficulties in themselves,

Small-scale projects are a matter of some significance for the areas concerned and those who operate in
them.

A more important factor than the size of projects is their continuity because this allows the effects to
extend over the longer term and produces more permanent results. It also ensures that project sponsors do
not have to waste their scarce physical and mental resources by devising artificial cooperation schemes.

How will the Commission ensure in the next Structural Fund programming period that small but locally
significant projects to be implemented by sponsors in given areas are placed on an equal footing with
regional-level projects of wide territorial scope?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2002)

Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on
the Structural Funds (1) provides for regional and local authorities, the economic and social partners and
any other relevant body to share in the preparation, financing, monitoring and evaluation of assistance
within the
the
Honourable Member thus have the possibility of submitting projects, whether small or large in scale, and
of being regularly updated on the programming for their region.

and institutions mentioned by

Funds. The organisations

framework of

the

Moreover Article 2 (2) of Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999 of 12 July 1999 on the
European Social Fund (2) provides for support for local initiatives concerning employment and Article 4 (2)
provides
the Commission encourages expansion of
employment at local level, in which local players have an essential role.

to local partnerships. Thus

small grants

for

Turning to the next programming period, the Commission launched the debate on future cohesion policy
on adopting the Second Report on Economic and Social Cohesion (3) and the First Progress Report (4). Both
documents are the subject of thematic and general seminars in which all the regional policy partners can
make known their needs and wishes for the policy’s future. The Commission will sum up the debate and
present its proposals when it publishes the Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion at the end of
2003.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.
(3) COM(2001) 24 final.
(4) COM(2002) 46 final.

(2002/C 301 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451/02

by Paul Lannoye (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Decline in Eleonora’s Falcon population in Crete

(23 May 2002)

The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature has informed me of an alarming decline in the number of
Eleonora’s Falcons (included in Annex I of Directive 79/409/EEC (1) on the conservation of wild birds) in
Crete since 1997. The population has fallen by half. This decline is apparently due to poisoning by the
‘methomyl’ pesticide, a carbamate marketed under the name ‘Lannate’ (DuPont) and used illegally by the
island’s inhabitants. During the hot summer months, strong concentrations of this pesticide are left outside
in basins of water in order to eliminate certain animals considered undesirable, e.g. cats, martens, rats,
dogs, etc. Other, non-targeted animals, such as vultures and falcons, obviously fall prey to this deadly
preparation.

5.12.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/151

Is the Commission aware of this decline in the Eleonora’s Falcon population?

What measures has it taken or does it intend to take to prevent this species of falcons from becoming
extinct?

Certain nature protection organisations are calling for mammal repellents to be added to all pesticides
available on the market so as to prevent them being used illegally as poison to eliminate certain animals.

How does the Commission view this proposal? Will it consider implementing it in the context of pesticide
authorisation procedures?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 2002)

the Commission services through a registered complaint

The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member that it is aware of the decline in the number of
Falco eleonorae (species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive (1)). The situation has been brought to
the attention of
launched against Greece.
Subsequently, a letter has been sent to the Greek authorities requesting information about the situation of
the population of Falco eleonorae in the island of Crete and of the measures that the Greek authorities
have taken as to alleviate the particular problem in the island. The reply to this letter is still pending. As
soon as the Greek authorities respond, the submitted information shall be analysed with a view to assess if
Greece has violated its obligations derived from Community environmental law in this case.

While the evaluation of Methomyl in the framework of Directive 91/414/EEC (2), is ongoing, the national
legislation of the Member States regarding placing on the market and use of plant protection products
applies. Use of the insecticide Methomyl is currently permitted in 10 Member States. The described use in
Crete is illegal and it remains the responsibility of the Greek authorities to take the necessary measures.

The proposal made by certain associations for nature conservation (Bird Life International and their Greek
associates, the Greek Ornithological Society) to add repulsive agents for the mammals to the preparations,
has already been applied by DuPont, one of the companies producing Methomyl. It seems however that
the repulsive effect on birds is not yet proven. However, there are indications that the application of
Methomyl according to label instructions poses a low risk to birds such as falcons. Recognising that the
decline of falcons can be attributed to the illegal use of Methomyl products, DuPont and the Greek
Ornithological Society, according to information provided to the Commission, are currently running a
joint project on the island of Crete. The project aims to raise public and farmers’ awareness about the
situation and to inform farmers about the effects on the falcon’s population by the misuse of the pesticide.

Further to the actions already taken regarding the case of Eleonora’s Falcons decline on the island of Crete,
the Commission is currently finalising a Communication to Parliament and to the Council entitled
‘Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides’. This Communication will launch a
broad consultation of all stakeholders to prepare the thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides
requested in the 6th Environment Action Programme.

(1) Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds.
(2) Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market,

OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2002/C 301 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1456/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: Scientific validity of animal toxicity tests

Will
the Commission state whether any of the animal-based toxicity tests currently used to assess
chemicals have not been fully validated to modern standards such as those applied during the development
of new non-animal alternative tests?