Council Regulation (EEC) No 3529/86 of 17 November 1986 on protection of the Community' s forests against fire

COUNCIL  REGULATION (EEC) No 3529/86
of 17 November 1986
on protection of the Community's forests against fire
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 43 and 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas forests play an essential part in maintaining fundamental balances, particularly as regards soil, water, climate, fauna and flora; whereas they therefore contribute to safeguarding and promoting the development of agriculture, a sector in which production conditions and, in some cases, the very existence of activity depend largely on the presence and health of neighbouring forests;
Whereas the forests of the Community have been seriously damaged by fire; whereas the situation is increasingly giving grounds for concern;
Whereas the protection of forests against fire is thus a matter of particular importance and urgency in the Community; whereas the Community must contribute to the improvement of such protection;
Whereas Member States must be encouraged to reinforce forest fire prevention measures in order to reduce the number and the scale of outbreaks of fire;
Whereas, by encouraging the development of fire prevention techniques, equipment and products, Member States will be able to reduce the number and scale of forest fires;
Whereas the implementation of forest fire prevention measures will be more effective if backed up by supplementary measures to encourage harmonization of techniques and equipment, including coordination of the necessary research;
Whereas to facilitate implementation of the measures envisaged, provision should be made for a procedure establishing close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission;
Whereas before the end of a five-year period the measures taken must be reviewed in the light, inter alia, of the experience acquired and the results obtained;
Whereas the Community should help to finance Community schemes for the protection of forests against fire;
Whereas, given the innovatory nature of some of the measures provided for, it is appropriate to review the financial aspects of this Regulation after a period of two years, to enable any necessary budgetary adjustments to be made;
Whereas the Treaty has not provided for all the powers necessary for this purpose,