WRITTEN QUESTION E-3659/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 December 2002)

Subject: Black tide in Galicia: financial resources

In connection with the disaster caused by the Prestige oil tanker accident, with what financial resources is the Commission intending to tackle the serious socio-economic consequences which this accident will have in Galicia, a European Objective 1 region with development problems?

What specific requests have been made to the Commission by the Member State affected?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2003)

As regards specific measures to finance at Community level operations to tackle the consequences of the sinking of the Prestige, the Commission wishes to point out that a number of Community financial instruments exist for costs not covered by insurance.

First, as regards measures to combat the effects of the oil spill on the territory of Member States' regions, the authorities concerned, within the limit of the funds allocated for the entire period 2000-2006 and with due regard for economic development priorities, could have recourse to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) part-financing.

Spain's Objective 1 Community Support Framework includes the Operational Programme (OP) Galicia 2000-2006, the managing authority for which (the Spanish Finance Ministry in conjunction with the Galician Government) can, with the Monitoring Committee's approval, adjust the programme complement to devote more resources to measures to help combat the impact of the disaster (but cannot change the amounts assigned to each priority in the OP). Such adjustment can involve changes in the part-financing rates for measures.

Further, Article 14(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1) permits modification of OPs in the event of significant changes in the socio-economic situation and the labour market. Such a modification, which would require a Commission decision, could change the amounts allocated to each priority.

So far the Spanish authorities have informed us only of their wish to use measure 3.5 (Coastal Environmental Measures) of the 2000-2006 Galicia OP (ERDF contribution EUR 64 516 472) for certain clean-up work.

Second, use of the Cohesion Fund could be considered, if the Spanish authorities so wished and in accordance with the usual procedures of the Fund, for the work on the wreck, which is in Spain's exclusive economic zone.

Third, the Commission received a formal request from the Spanish authorities on 14 January 2003 for mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to provide help with the clean-up costs for the oil slick damage to the Galician coastline caused by the sinking of the Prestige.

The Commission is now examining the request on the basis of the information received in the application and will respond as quickly as possible in accordance with the requirements of the EUSF Regulation(2).

The Commission however reminds the Honourable Member that the EUSF was set up to provide assistance principally in the event of natural disasters and that it cannot be used to provide immediate financial assistance if the fairly specific qualifying criteria outlined in the Regulation are not met. Assistance can only be given to help make good public damage not covered by insurance. It cannot cover economic losses (e.g. by fishermen or in the tourism sector).

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund, OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.