WRITTEN QUESTION E-0252/04 by Raquel Cardoso (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Financing of the Natura 2000 network.
Date: 2004-02-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, EU financing, European Commission, administration of the Institutions, protected area

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/557

(2004/C 84 E/0635)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0252/04

by Raquel Cardoso (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 February 2004)

Subject: Financing of the Natura 2000 network

Since 1992 Article 8 of the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC (1) of 21 May 1992) has provided for
the co-financing of the Natura 2000 network. The Commission’s work programme for 2003 included the
submission of a communication on the financing of the Natura 2000 network in September.

A number of Member States have asked Commissioner Margot Wallström at successive meetings of the
Environment Ministers’ Council for details of the Commission’s response to the Natura 2000 network’s
funding needs. The Commission’s replies to these questions have clearly been unsatisfactory.

Will the Commission commit itself to submitting the communication on the financing of the Natura 2000
network by a specific date so as to meet the objectives set out in the Sixth Environment Action
Programme?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

The Commission has committed itself to submitting a Communication on the Financing of Natura 2000 in
2004. This proposal has been carried forward from its 2003 working programme. The Communication is
expected for the first half of 2004.

(2004/C 84 E/0636)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0255/04

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 February 2004)

Subject: Highways plan for Majorca

The Consell de Mallorca, which is the authority responsible for highways on the island of Majorca, recently
adopted the Plan de Carreteras master plan for the construction of roads and motorways on the island in
coming years. This plan raises the possibility, among other things, of the construction of up to seven new
motorways and dual carriageways, which taken together would spell the destruction of over 2 000 hectares
of countryside, including 120 hectares of scrub (Oleo-Ceratonion alliance), pinewood (pinus halepensis)
and evergreen oakwood (Quercion-ilicis alliance).

As various social and economic players on Majorca have indicated, the Plan de Carreteras was adopted
without any environmental impact assessment being carried out. No consideration was given to the effect
the plan would have on the environment, nor to measures aimed at minimising the impact on the flora
and fauna affected. The Plan de Carreteras was adopted without the requisite legal documentation being
produced and in contravention of
the Commission directive requiring Member States to conduct
environmental
impact assessments on public projects that may have significant repercussions for the
environment.

In view of this, does the Commission consider the adoption of the Plan de Carreteras to be another case of
non-fulfilment of the Directive on environmental impact assessment, as recently reported to the European
Court of Justice? Consequently, would it say that this highways plan is not based on the principles of
precaution, preventive action and rectification of environmental damage set out in Article 174(2) (ex 130r)
TEC? Does it satisfy the Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora?