WRITTEN QUESTION E-2638/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Protection of forests against fires in Galicia (Spain).
Date: 2002-09-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, European forestry policy, Galicia, Spain, fire protection, forest conservation, forestry development, rural development

C 110 E/78

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 2002)

The billboards for projects under construction and the commemorative plates for completed projects,
which are or have been co-financed by the Structural Funds do not necessarily need to present the rate or
the exact amount of the assistance. They must, however, refer to the fact that the project has been co-
financed by the Community and to the specific fund which has contributed to it.

As far as the Athens metro and other completed projects in Greece are concerned, where no notice had
been placed, the Commission identified this omission and wrote to the Greek authorities on 20 March
2002, asking them to take the necessary steps to comply with the provisions in force for the publicity of
the projects co-financed in the period 1994-1999 by the Structural Funds. The Commission made specific
reference to the Athens metro project in its letter.

It was only then that the signs referred to by the Honourable Member were placed in the stations of the
Athens metro.

The Commission will continue its efforts to ensure that the rules on publicity for projects co-financed by
Community Funds are respected by the Member States.

(2003/C 110 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2638/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Protection of forests against fires in Galicia (Spain)

(18 September 2002)

The value of the forests of southern Europe and the risks to which they are exposed have led the European
Community to take steps to protect them against fire.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 (1) of 23 July 1992 on the protection of the Community’s forests
against fires established a ten-year Community scheme (1992-2001) for the protection of forests against
fires. The purpose of this scheme was to reduce the number of forest fire outbreaks and the extent of the
areas burned (especially in the southern parts of the Community) by combating the causes of fires and
adopting fire prevention and forest surveillance measures. The financial allocation for the period 1997-
2001 was EUR 49,4 million.

Could the Commission give details of
connection with this Regulation in the Autonomous Community of Galicia?

the measures that

the European Community has funded in

Has the Spanish Government presented any other plans for the future implementation of measures to
protect the forests of Galicia against fires?

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2002)

The Commission wishes to point out to the Honourable Member that Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/
92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community’s forests against fire was last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 805/2002 of the European Parliament and the Council (1), adopted on 15 April 2002. This
extended the duration of the initial Regulation by one year and adjusted its financial allocation for the
period 1997-2002 to EUR 59,9 million, in line with the amount entered in the budget for 2002.

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/79

including EUR 15,8 million for
During the period 1992-2002 Spain has received EUR 22,6 million,
national protection projects or programmes presented by the Member State (cid:1) most of which relate to the
whole country and largely comprise information and awareness campaigns.

These initiatives therefore cover Galicia in the same way as the other regions of Spain.

The remaining EUR 6,8 million have been granted for projects or measures presented by regional
recipients. Inter alia, under the 2002 programme the Community has supported a measure relating to a
socio-economic study on forest fires in Galicia; the total cost of the measure is EUR 111 788 and the
assistance granted is EUR 55 894.

It should also be borne in mind that measures covered by Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 may qualify for
substantially more support under rural development programmes: the appropriations available under such
programmes are significantly higher and the Community may contribute up to 80 % of measures’ total cost
with a mandatory contribution from the Member State, as against a maximum of 50 % without a
mandatory Member State contribution under Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92.

Under the 1994-1999 programme the Commission part-financed public expenditure of EUR 54,4 million
on protecting Galicia’s forests against
firebreaks,
5 590 hectares of preventive works, 55 938 hectares of clearing and controlled fires, 7 877 kilometres of
tracks and 2 311 water supply points.

fire, enabling the creation of 20 447 hectares of

Under the 2000-06 programmes, in the context of rural development Spain presented a set of forestry
support measures for which the Community contribution is EUR 72,7 million.

Lastly, from 1 January 2003 onwards it will be possible to integrate forest protection measures previously
covered by Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 into rural development programmes, provided that
Member States notify programme changes.

(1) OJ L 132, 17.5.2002.

(2003/C 110 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2645/02

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 September 2002)

Subject: Accident at power plant run by the Greek Public Power Corporation (DEI)

The accident which occurred at the DEI plant at Kozani on 24 December 2001 was followed by another at
the steam power plant at Megalopolis which severely injured six people. The source of the accident was
the combustion and dry bottom ash removal system used in the boiler of Unit III of the Megalopolis plant
and the maintenance of the system by DEI despite its inherent operational risks.

In the light of these accidents and the Commission’s previous answer that it would investigate whether
appropriate information was made available to workers in Greece to avoid such accidents, will the
Commission say:

1. what measures it will take given the lack of protective measures taken in Greece at places of work

such as those above,

2. how it will ensure compliance with basic health and safety rules at power plants,