91998E2448

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2448/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Town-planning regulations and livestock farming in the Canaries

The municipality of La Laguna (Tenerife, Canaries) currently accounts for a significant percentage of livestock in the Canaries, especially cattle, with more than 240 farms, in addition to the land used for other livestock farming and the cultivation of rain-fed fodder.

This important sector of production, which involves more than 5 500 cows, has expanded its potential due among other things to the significant aid provided under the programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of the Canary Islands (Poseican), adopted by Council Decision of 26 June 1991 (91/314/EEC) (1). Title III of the annex thereto (point 6,7 ) makes provision, "to promote the development of stock farming to meet local market needs", for "a system of aid for the purchase of breeding animals originating in the Community."

Nevertheless, in the municipality of La Laguna (island of Tenerife, Canaries), the governing group is transacting a set of town-planning regulations (General Town Planning Scheme) which will, if they are adopted, lead in the short and medium term to the disappearance of a large percentage of these livestock farms following the conversion of farmland into building land.

This situation will lead to the paradox that, despite the aid received from the European Union, current livestock numbers will fall as a result of local decisions.

Is the Commission aware of the above developments?

What is the Commission's opinion of the fact that local authorities sometimes take decisions of this kind, which may undermine decisions taken in favour of certain sectors of production?

Can the Commission draw attention to the need to preserve the various fields of development of productive activities in order to ensure that the aid programmes envisaged under Poseican fulfil their purpose?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1998)

The Commission was not aware of the issues raised by the Honourable Member. The tasks for which the Commission is responsible under the Treaties do not provide the Commission with the type of information set out in the question.

The Commission has no responsibility in the issue raised, which rests solely with the local, regional and national authorities involved.

The Commission considers that it is not qualified to act in this matter.

(1) OJ L 171, 29.6.1991, p. 5.