(2004/C 78 E/0483)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3059/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject:   EU funding for marine conservation

Given that Ireland lacks any dedicated facility, in the form of a publicly accessible marine conservation area, through which it can play a full role in an EU network of marine mammal rescue and oil spill response, and given that consequently it is ill-equipped to fulfil its international responsibilities.

Can the Commission advise on whether there are any EU funds available for the purpose of developing such a conservation centre to service the country?

Can the Commission advise on the availability of EU funding to support the work of the Irish Seal Sanctuary, a wildlife conservation NGO run entirely by volunteers for the past 20 years in this area but now without sources of finance to continue its operations?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2003)

As the Honourable Member is aware, a number of International and Community measures and policies require Ireland to take adequate provisions to conserve or restore the marine environment. In principle, funds provided by the Community and managed by Ireland could be used to honour these responsibilities, provided that the legal framework allows for this.

There are limited possibilities for direct support from the Commission for nature conservation projects. The key financial instrument is the LIFE Regulation (1) nearly half of which is devoted to nature conservation projects. The key objective of LIFE Nature is to support the establishment of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

There are certain rules and criteria that need to be met for LIFE funding. Applications for financial support under LIFE are considered each year and must be submitted via the national authority for nature protection. The deadline for submission of applications to the Commission under the final round of the present LIFE Regulation was the end of October 2003.

Unfortunately, the number of applications received by the Commission considerably exceeds the financial possibilities of this instrument.

In regard to the Structural Funds, the Commission understands that the Irish Seal Sanctuary is currently examining the possibility of seeking funding under the Tourism Measures of the Regional Operational Programmes.

(1)  Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE), OJ L 192, 28.7.2000.