92002E0085

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0085/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 January 2002)

Subject: Public access to Europe's wild areas

Is it the intention of the Commission to promote legislation to extend or protect the public's right of access to Europe's wild areas, and particularly to special areas of conservation within the Natura 2000 programme (where this is possible without risk or damage to species requiring protection)?

Is the Commission aware of any non-legislative initiatives being taken jointly by Member States to promote this objective?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2002)

The Commission has no intention to promote legislation that would extend public rights of access to the countryside across the Community. There are no relevant articles of the EC Treaty which provide for Community competence in this area. The Commission is, nevertheless, keen to promote public awareness and enjoyment of Natura 2000 sites, provided that this is managed to prevent disturbance of the nature conservation value. Many of the projects that have been funded under the LIFE-Nature programme have included significant elements related to visitor facilities and management, i.e. visitor centres, nature trails and walkways and visitor information and education material.

In the framework of this year's Green Week, the Commission is promoting, in association with Eurosite, the pan-European association of nature site management organisations, a programme of green days under which Natura 2000 site managers are being encouraged to organise events on their sites aimed at the general public, the objective being to raise public awareness of the importance of individual sites and the Natura 2000 network as a whole. Depending on the outcome of this year, the Commission will consider making this an annual event.