51999AP0124

A4-0124/99

Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (COM(98)0768 - C4-0072/99 - 98/0354 (CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas the actions taken by the Community in this field since 1985 have made it possible progressively to develop cooperation between the Member States; whereas the resolutions adopted since 1987 and the Council Decision of 19 December 1997 establishing a Community Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection constitutes the basis for this cooperation;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas

it is necessary to continue and step up the actions taken by the Community in this field since 1985 to make it possible progressively to develop greater and more effective and progressive cooperation between the Member States; whereas the resolutions adopted since 1987 and the Council Decision of 19 December 1997 establishing a Community Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection constitutes the basis for this cooperation;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 2

>Original text>

Whereas the individual actions undertaken by the Community to implement the programme contribute to the protection of persons, environment and property in the event of natural and technological disasters;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the individual actions undertaken by the Community to implement the programme contribute to the protection of persons, environment and property in the event of natural and technological disasters

, and a more intelligent relationship with nature, which in future may make it possible to prevent many disasters, including floods;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 4

>Original text>

Whereas the Community Action Programme will continue to help to develop cooperation in this field more effectively; whereas the programme should be based to a large extent on experience already gained in this field;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community Action Programme will continue to help to develop cooperation in this field more effectively; whereas the programme should be based to a large extent on experience already gained in this field

and continue to develop this experience;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supports and supplements national policies in the field of Civil Protection in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life, injuries and economic and environmental damage throughout the Community;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, Community cooperation supports and supplements national policies in the field of Civil Protection in order to make them more effective; whereas pooling of experience and mutual assistance will help to reduce the loss of human life, injuries

, material damage and economic and environmental damage throughout the Community, making the objectives of social cohesion, solidarity and European citizenship more tangible;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 5a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the isolated and ultraperipheral regions of the Union have special characteristics because of their geography, terrain and social and economic conditions which have an adverse effect and make it difficult to deliver aid and means of assistance in the event of major danger;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 5b (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas disasters and emergency situations in neighbouring third countries affect the Member States and vice-versa, and actions are needed to improve the cooperation with neighbouring countries participating in the PHARE, the TACIS and the MEDA programmes;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 5c (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas those countries should normally themselves meet the costs arising from their participation, the Community may, for specific cases, decide to supplement the national contribution of the country concerned in the framework of the PHARE, the TACIS and the MEDA programme;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 5d (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas receipts from third countries are resources pre-allocated to the programme and are entered in the corresponding expenditure item;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas it is also important to undertake action targeted at the general public so as to help European citizens to protect themselves more effectively;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is also important to undertake action targeted at the general public so as to help European citizens to protect themselves more effectively

, realise that this task is a shared responsibility and be made aware of health and environmental protection problems;

(Amendment 10)

Article 1(1)

>Original text>

1. A Community action programme in the field of Civil Protection (hereinafter called 'the programme') is hereby established for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

A Community action programme in the field of Civil Protection, including environmental emergencies (hereinafter called 'the programme') is hereby established for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004.

(Amendment 11)

Article 1(2)

>Original text>

2. The programme is intended to support and supplement Member States' efforts at national, regional and local levels for the protection of persons, environment and property in the event of natural and technological disasters. The aim is also to facilitate cooperation and mutual assistance between Member States in this field.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

The programme is intended to support, supplement and step up Member States' efforts at national, supra-regional, regional and local levels for the prevention and protection of persons, environment and property in the event of danger or actual natural and technological disasters. The aim is also to facilitate cooperation, exchange of experience and mutual assistance between Member States in this field.

(Amendment 12)

Article 1(2a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

2a. Neighbouring countries participating in the PHARE, the TACIS and the MEDA programmes may participate in the actions implemented under the programme. Community cofinancing may be provided under the relevant provisions of the PHARE, the TACIS and the MEDA regulations.

(Amendment 13)

Article 1(2b) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

2b. The annual breakdown of appropriations dedicated to the cofinancing of this programme by these countries is published in section III, part B, annex IV of the general budget.

(Amendment 14)

Article 3(2) (b) and (c)

>Original text>

(b) contribution to increasing the degree of preparedness of those involved in Civil Protection in the Member States, in order to increase their ability to respond to an emergency;

>Text following EP vote>

(b)

contribution to increasing the degree of preparedness of those primarily responsible for and most directly involved in Civil Protection at all levels in the Member States, in order to increase their ability to respond to an emergency;

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

(ba) detecting and studying the immediate and underlying causes of disasters and publishing the conclusions of such a study

>Original text>

(c) contribution to improving techniques and methods of response and rehabilitation after emergencies;

>Text following EP vote>

(c)

contribution to improving the means and methods of forecasting, techniques and procedures of response and rehabilitation after emergencies, by means of pilot projects;

(Amendment 15)

Article 3(4)

>Original text>

4. Where relevant, actions under the present programme shall seek to contribute to the integration of civil protection objectives in other Community and Member States policies and actions.

>Text following EP vote>

4.

Where relevant, actions under the present programme shall seek to contribute to the integration of civil protection objectives in other Community and Member States policies and actions, particularly when the environmental impact of installations and activities is being assessed.

(Amendment 16)

Article 4, 2nd to 5th paragraphs

>Original text>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Text following EP vote>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the

general measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Original text>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

>Text following EP vote>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

>Original text>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee and shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee and shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account

in accordance with the procedure laid down in the preceding paragraphs.

>Original text>

The Commission may also refer other matters relating to civil protection to the advisory committee.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission may also refer other matters relating to civil protection to the advisory committee.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

The Committee shall meet in public. It shall publish agendas two weeks in advance of its meetings. It shall publish minutes of its meetings. It shall establish a public register of declarations of interest by its members.

(Amendment 17)

Annex(A), action column, introduction

>Original text>

Major projects of general interest for all Member States or a number of them and involving a process for enhancing Civil Protection capabilities for dealing with disasters in certain significant aspects, such as:

>Text following EP vote>

Major projects of general interest for all Member States or a number of them

or for any Member State and any country of Central and Eastern Europe and/or for any Member State and any Mediterranean country, and involving a process for enhancing Civil Protection capabilities for dealing with disasters in certain significant aspects, such as:

(Amendment 18)

Annex(B), action column (1), introduction

>Original text>

Organisation of workshops or training courses bringing together high-level experts, technical specialists and technicians from the Member States permitting, within each discipline, the mutual sharing of experience by means of discussions in specific terms of their methods, techniques and means with a view to:

>Text following EP vote>

Organisation of workshops or training courses bringing together high-level experts, technical specialists and technicians from the Member States

, at local, regional or supraregional level, permitting, within each discipline, the comprehensive mutual sharing of experience by means of discussions in specific terms of their methods, techniques and means with a view to:

(Amendment 19)

Annex(B), action column (2), 1st subparagraph

>Original text>

Exchange of experts and technicians

Organization of the secondment of experts to the emergency services of another Member State in order to allow the experts to gain experience or appraise different techniques used or to study the approaches taken within other emergency services or other relevant bodies.

>Text following EP vote>

Organization of the secondment of experts to the emergency services of another Member State in order to allow the experts to gain experience or appraise different techniques used or to study the approaches taken within other emergency services or other relevant bodies

, such as non-governmental organizations with specialist expertise in emergency operation.

>TABLE>

(Amendment 21)

Annex (C), action column (3)

>Original text>

Conferences and other Civil Protection events which are open to a large audience, and involving several Member States.

>Text following EP vote>

Conferences and other Civil Protection events which are open to a large audience, and involving several Member States

or any Member State and any country of Central and Eastern Europe or the Mediterranean.

(Amendment 22)

Annex (C), action column (4)

>Original text>

Distribution of information, publications and production of exhibition material on the Community co-operation in the field of Civil Protection. Other actions aiming to a better appreciation of the results of the civil protection activities, such as statistics, economic analysis. Evaluation of the programme.

>Text following EP vote>

Distribution of information, publications and production of exhibition material on the Community co-operation in the field of Civil Protection. Other actions aiming to a better appreciation of the results of the civil protection activities, such as statistics, economic analysis

, as well as participation in other exhibitions and events for the distribution of material which devote particular attention to prevention, the importance of conserving natural resources, the implementation of safety standards, raising the alarm in potentially dangerous situations, rescue plans and emergency situations.

(Amendment 23)

Annex (D), action column

>Original text>

Mobilisation of expertiseto intervene in the event of an emergency situation to reinforce the system set-up by the authorities of a Member State or a third country facing natural or technological disasters.

>Text following EP vote>

Mobilisation of expertiseto intervene in the event of an emergency situation to reinforce the system set-up by the authorities

and the NGOs of a Member State or a third country facing natural, technological or environmental disasters.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection (COM(98)0768 - C4-0072/99 - 98/0354(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(98)0768 - 98/0354(CNS)) ((OJ C 28, 3.2.1999, p. 29.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 (now Article 308) of the EC Treaty (C4-0072/99),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0124/99),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.