91998E3251

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3251/98

by Kyösti Virrankoski (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 October 1998)

Subject: Finnish-language Natura 2000 notification forms

Areas to be included in the European Natura 2000 network must be notified to the Commission using an information form. The information to be provided on the form includes the location of the Natura area, the types of nature to be found in it, an estimate as to what percentage of the types of nature which exist in the Member State as a whole is to be found in the area and the importance of protecting the area in question to the protection of the type of nature to be found in it. A similar form is to be completed concerning each of the organisms in the area whose protection the designation of the area is intended to secure.

These forms were received from the Commission last spring (on 14 May), together with the 35-page instructions for completing them. Now, however, the Finnish Environment Ministry, which has hitherto kept the form secret, claims that the Commission cannot supply the forms in Finnish. The form is vital to enable land-owners, municipalities and provinces to establish the factual basis for the protection of each Natura area.

Does the Commission have these forms, and the instructions for completing them, in Finnish?

Does the Commission consider it right that Natura information should be supplied from Finland using a form which people cannot understand? If not, what will the Commission do, or does it intend to do nothing?

Does the situation accord with the provisions of the EU Treaty?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

The forms with explanatory notes do exist in Finnish. Commission Decision 97/266/EC, of 18 December 1996 concerning a site information format for proposed Natura 2000 sites(1) has been published. Thus there should be no linguistic problem for Finnish people.

(1) OJ L 107, 24.4.1997.