Activites

• 2000/11/15 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Regulation 2000/2494
  • OJ L 288 15.11.2000, p. 0006
• 2000/11/07 Final act signed
• 2000/11/07 End of procedure in Parliament
• 2000/09/21 Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading
  • T5-0396/2000 summary

    The Parliament approved the joint text.�

• 2000/09/20 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2000/09/07 Decision by Council, 3rd reading
• 2000/09/04 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 2000/08/21 Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading
  • A5-0216/2000
• 2000/07/05 Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs
  • 3632/2000
• 2000/06/28 Formal meeting of Conciliation Committee
• #2263
• 2000/05/18 Council Meeting
• 2000/03/14 Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading
  • T5-0089/2000 summary

    In adopting its report, drafted by Mr. Fernandez Martin (EPP, Spain) on the conservation and sustainanble management of tropical forests, the Parliament made several amendments of the Common Position. Parliament emphasised the importance of the active participation of forest-dependent people, and stipulated that activities carried out should be evaluated taking their opinion into account. It increased the financial framework for implementation from EUR 63 to 249 million. In addition, Parliament requires it be informed of the strategic guidelines and priorities for implementing activities. The management procedure has also been changed from that in the Common Position.�

• 2000/03/13 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2000/02/22 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
  • A5-0048/2000
• 2000/02/09 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(2000)0054 summary

    The Commission was able to accept 18 EP amendments in full or in part, in some cases subject to some rewording or insertion in a different part of the regulation text than initially proposed. Most of these were amendments concerning policy or technical issues, in particular indigenous peoples' rights - most of the latter amendments were consolidated into one clause. The amendments or important parts of the amendments that the Commission was unable to accept can be grouped under several of the following categories: - amendments concerning management issues which are of the competence of the Commission; - procedural or administrative proposals that were not in accordance with standard formulations and practices of similar regulations, including the Financial Regulation; - quotes from legal acts or policy documents which were considered to be redundant and to unnecessarily lengthen the text; - amendments considered to be unclear or subjective, or which repeated ideas expressed elsewhere in the Regulation or in other accepted amendments; - amendments which, if accepted, would reduce the focus and hence the effectiveness of the activities contemplated under the Regulation.�

  • DG ['Development'],
• 2000/01/20 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• #2237
• 1999/12/16 Council Meeting
  • 12487/1/1999 summary

    The Council has been able to accept a substantial number of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament. Where the Commission and the Council were unable to accept Parliament's amendments or parts of them it was usually for one or several of the following reasons : - procedural or administrative proposals that were not in accordance with standard formulations and practices of similar regulations, including the Financial Regulation; - quotes from legal acts or policy documents which were considered to be redundant and to unnecessarily lengthen the text; - amendments considered to be unclear or subjective, or which repeated ideas expressed elsewhere in the Regulation or in other accepted amendments; - amendments which, if accepted, would reduce the focus and hence the effectiveness of the activities contemplated under the Regulation; - amendments concerning management issues which are of the competence of the Commission. In its common position, the Council has approved the essence and wording of the Commission's proposal with the exceptions to various point. Moreover, the Council thought desirable to integrate a new task for the joint Committees' meeting which aims at the approval of annual strategic guidelines and priorities to underline the focus on a strategic approach. In addition, the Council believes that the legal basis put forward by the Commission in its proposal is the most appropriate in view of the aim and content of the proposal. As far as duration of the Regulation is concerned, the Council has opted for a seven year period (2000-2006) which corresponds to the period for which financial perspectives have been fixed. The Commission's evaluation report will be due four years after the entry into force of the Regulation and shall contain suggestions concerning the future of the Regulation. Furthermore, as a consequence of the seven year programme, the financial reference amount has been fixed at EUR 63 million, which results from the 2000 draft budget appropriations of annual EUR 10 million. This amount has further been reduced by 10% to take account of the July Decision of the Budget Council on Category 4 expenditures. By the introduction of this indicative amount, the Council has partially taken into consideration the European Parliament's amendment No. 34. The Council has also changed the committee procedure whereby the powers of the committee would be exercised under the management committee procedure, as set out in the Council Decision of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedure for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission. The Council considers that such a committee procedure will ensure maximum coordination with Member States activities and thus contribute to necessary complementarity. In addition, an annual Commission document on strategic guidelines and priorities will be submitted to the appropriate geographical committee which will approve the document in accordance with the management committee procedure. In conclusion, the Council adopted in full the 18 amendments adopted by the Commission and in essence the first part of theamendment No.34 proposed by the Parliament. On the other hand, apart from the amendments not adopted by the Commission the Council could not accept other amendments for the reason that it was not possible to reach the requisite unanimity. However, the Council considers that its common position constitutes a balanced text to ensure the continuation of activities implemented under Council Regulation 3062/95/EC of 20 December 1995 after its expiry on 31 December 1999. It reflects the need to meet the Community's commitments to the conservation and management of tropical forests and forests in the context of sustainable development.�

• 1999/05/05 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T4-0399/1999 summary

    In adopting without debate its report, drafted by Mr. José Javier POMES RUIZ (EPP, Spain), on the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries, the Parliament stresses the role and the impact of the destruction of forests on indigenous populations. In particular, it considers that the financial sum mentioned in the proposal is an absolute minimum for the protection of tropical and other forests in developing countries (this sum includes the necessary technical assistance for the implementation of the programme). In the framework of this programme, it wants the Community not only to provide financial assistance but also technical and economic competences to the developing countries. It also strengthens the measures by adding to the list drawn up by the Commission the following : - the improvement of sustainable management of forests, - the improvement of the co-ordination and the flow of information between Community and national projects in order to ensure coherence between actions undertaken in these regions, - the intention of active participation of the forest communities and the local communities in the drawing up of forestry policies and in planning for development. Furthermore, it seeks specific assistance for the creation of new forests and the protection of forested areas in regions other than those in which there are deteriorating forests. The EP emphasises strongly that forest populations should be consulted and fully involved in the decisions relating to and the implementation of actions (including the evaluation tasks)and that these should take into account their priorities. It stresses in particular the social, economic and environmental sustainability of actions and adds that no finance will be available if there are any serious doubts with respect to the sustainability of actions. With respect to comitology, the Parliament is fully in favour of a consultative procedure. In addition, it calls for the minutes of the Commission's meetings regarding the selection of projects should be transmitted to the European Parliament. It also calls on the Commission should consult an external expert before selecting projects. Lastly, the Parliament wishes to be kept regularly informed regarding approved projects.�

• 1999/04/21 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0237/1999
• 1999/02/03 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(1999)0041 summary

    PURPOSE : Proposal for a Council Regulation on measures to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries. CONTENT : The proposed Regulation will be an important instrument to enable the Community to meet its commitments to the conservation and management of forests in the context of sustainable development. It will ensure the continuation of activities implemented under Council Regulation 3062/95/EC, after its expiry on 31/12/1999. The proposed legal instrument takes into account relevant developments within the Community, the results of the international discussion on Forests through the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests process, the evolution in the forest sector, as well as experience acquired during the implementation of the existing regulation. EC development co-operation in forestry stems from clear Community commitments to the conservation of forests and sustainability of development activities. Arts. 130u and 130r of the Treaty are of specific relevance. Art. 130u states that Community policy in the sphere of development co-operation shall foster the sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries. Art. 130r states that the Community shall promote measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and also that environmental protection shall be integrated into the definition and implementation of other Community policies/ Recognising the importance of forests at local and global levels, the European Parliament has called on the Commission to prepare an integrated international strategy for the conservation and sustainable management of forests. The proposed Regulation is a key means by which this strategy will be implemented. An independent evaluation of the EC contribution to the forest sector development co-operation was finalised in 1998. It recognised the positive achievements of the actions funded by budget line B7-6201 while emphasising its complementary role with respect to other financial instruments. The proposed regulation sets the framework for the management of budget line B7-6201, the most specific financial instrument available to the EC for the implementation of the above commitments. This instrument will finance strategic actions such as : - pilot projects and innovative actions in developing countries, and - studies to increase the effectiveness of Community assistance and of developing countries' efforts for the conservation and sustainable management of forests. The priorities set out form a coherent framework for the Community's development co-operation on forests, addressing the development of appropriate national and international policy frameworks, forest conservation, sustainable forest management, improvement of downstream processing and marketing of forest products and applied research, with an overall objective of achieving sustainable development, as well as poverty reduction. Under this overall framework, the activities financed may address a broad range of forest issues, allowing for the necessary flexibility to respond adequately to new ideas and challenges, according to regional and countries' specific needs. Since forest sector development co-operation is a long-termcommitment, it is suggested that the regulation be given an unlimited duration. Four years after the entry into force of this regulation, the Commission will submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an overall assessment of the operations financed together with suggestions concerning the future of this regulation. Meanwhile, the Commission will ensure regular assessments of the progress of operations. In order to allow for the continued funding of measures to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries under budget line B7-6201, the Commission urges that this new regulation should be adopted as soon as possible and be applicable from 1 January 2000.�

  • DG ['Development'],

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(1999)0041
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A4-0237/1999
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0399/1999
• Council position published: 12487/1/1999
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(2000)0054
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A5-0048/2000
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T5-0089/2000
• Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs: 3632/2000
• Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading: A5-0216/2000
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading: T5-0396/2000
• : Regulation 2000/2494
• : OJ L 288 15.11.2000, p. 0006

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)