CONFIDENTIAL Strasbourg 21 September 1987 AS/Loc (39) PV 3
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, REGIONAL PLANNING AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES
DRAFT MINUTES PACECOM075237 of the meeting in Paris on 9 September 1987
Present
Mr HARDY, Chairman United Kingdom Mr CUATRECASAS, Vice-Chairman Spain MM ADRIAENSENS Belgium AHRENS Federal Republic of Germany Mrs BLUNCK (for Mr Rumpf) Federal Republic of Germany MM BOSCH Austria CHENARD France DEBETAZ Switzerland DUPONT (for Mr Riesen) Switzerland FAJARDO Spain Sir Geoffrey FINSBERG United Kingdom MM GARRETT (for Lord Kinnoul) United Kingdom GOERENS (for Mr Konen) Luxembourg KARAKAS Turkey LACOUR France LILAIA Portugal MEZZAPESA Italy MITTERDORFER Italy MONTASTRUC France MOREIRA (for Mr Marques) Portugal MORLEY Ireland NEHROZOGLU Turkey SKAUG Norway STEVERLYNCK Belgium ZIERER (for Mr Lemmrich) Federal Republic of Germany
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Also present
MM PRAT France RAMAEKERS Belgium ROBLES CANIBE Spain VALLEIX France
Mr SCIMEMI, Deputy Director of Environment, OECD
Apologised for absence
Mr ALEMYR Sweden Mrs BROGLE-SELE Liechtenstein MM GLINAVOS Greece HOLST Denmark JOHANSSON Sweden LANNER Austria PAPALIGOUMS Greece RUBBI Italy RUMPF Federal Republic of Germany STOFFELEN Netherlands THORARINSSON Iceland Mrs van der WERF-TERPSTRA Netherlands Mr XUEREB Malta
Mr Hardy took the Chair at 2 pm.
1. AGENDA
/AS/Loc (39) OJ 3 rev/
The agenda was adopted.
2. MINUTES
/AS/Loc (39) PV 2?
The minutes of the meeting in Lausanne on 30 June 1987 were approved.
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3„ NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS
/Doc 5757 ~AS/Loc (39) 2 rev J
The Chairman said that on the basis of suggestions by its rapportaur9 Sir Geoffrey Finsbergs the committee had adopted at its Lausanne meeting a number of amendments to Mrs Morf's draft recommendation„ to whichp however j the Social and Health Affairs Committee had since made amendments of its own.
In addition,, the Committee on Science and Technology had just adopted a large number of amendments which might well radically alter Mrs Morf°s initial text. Unfortunately they were not yet available»
Mr Bosch said paragraph 14 (I) (a) of Mrs Morf's preliminary draft had evidently been amended since there was no longer any reference to a minimum distance of 100 km between nuclear power stations and major population centres o
Sir Geoffrey Finsberg again deplored the fact that there was more than one report and the lack of consultation between the rapporteurs of the committees concerned,,
The Secretariat said there was going to be a single report after all as instead of a report the Commission on Science and Technology was now likewise submitting a draft opinion for insertion in Mrs Morf's Social and Health Affairs Committee report,
Mr Ahrens wondered whether Mrs Morf's text sufficiently heeded frontier regions' demands for prior consultation on building nuclear power stations»
The Chairman referred to various paragraphs in the preliminary draft recommendation particularly paragraphs 14 (II) (a), (b) and (c)), which took those demands into account.
Finally, it was decided to return to the question at the next meeting in the light of all the other committees' amendments and the Secretariat was instructed to circulate those committees' draft amendments as soon as possible.
4. OECD PROGRESS REPORT
The Chairman welcomed Mr Scimemi, OECD Deputy Director of Environment, and thanked him for agreeing to give a statement on OECD's environment work.
Mr Scimemi outlined the programme of medium-term priorities approved by the OECD Council in March 1987. One of the emphases was environment in the widest sense. The key concepts included?
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- management of natural resources;
- a global approach;
- environment-mindedness in all areas of government policy;
prevention and control of environmental damage, by chemicals and dangerous waste in particular;
improving the quality of both urban and rural life«
The. Chairman thanked Mr Scimemi for his concise and instructive statement and opened the discussion by asking what OECD thought of the tendency to wring ever more productivity out of any given area of land.
Mr Scimemi said an ecological approach to agriculture was in fact one of OECD's new priorities.
Mr Ahrens asked if attempts to bring in stricter standards on pollution-causing emissions from fixed plant and motor vehicles had achieved anything and if OECD was involved in protection of tropical forests.
In reply to the first question, Mr Scimemi said that member countries were increasingly responsibe to efforts to enforce the "polluter-pays" principle. There had also been notable successes in the chemicals field. Progress was being regularly reviewed.
As to protection of tropical forests, it was difficult for OECD to bring direct pressure to bear on the Third World, though it was always open to "donor" countries to exert pressure through bilateral aid agreements. OECD had adopted two recommendations (in 1985 and 1986) on environmental impact assessment and development aid programmes.
Nowadays one of OECD's aims was to build an environment dimension into economic policy instruments. The new priorities in fact included energy and environment.
Mr Bosch wondered whether deterioration of the environment did not justify stricter standards and measures.
Mr Scimemi said the report on the state of the environment was a periodic report which therefore contained information on progress achieved. OECD experts had likewise written reports on environment in specific countries.
Mr Debetaz asked when OECD had begun taking an interest in environment policy.
Mr Scimemi said it had done so rather late in the day, around 1969-70.
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Mr Steverlynck asked what concrete results OECD"s studies and evaluations had achieved.
Mr Scimemi said that some of the work was quite demonstrably achieving results - an international agreement on transport of dangerous freight was being drawn ups for instance - though no progress was being made on noise. OECD was likewise involved in the Council of Europe Campaign for the Countryside.
Mr Prat said that both the Council of Europe and OECD were constrained by governments' concerns and priorities. How might such organisations' work influence national policy and perhaps commitment to a particular type of society?
Mr Scimemi agreed and stressed the importance of creating the necessary public awareness. OECD looked forward to any further suggestions9 and indeed any criticisms„ from the Parliamentary Assembly in the debate on 2 October 1987»
In terms„ agains of positive results9 the progressive application of the "polluter-pays-principle" was proof positive of the effect of OECD and other international organisations' policy. However, the real way to get positive results was to apply environment policy in every area of government.
Mr Mitterdorfer wondered if the draft version of the agreement on transport of dangerous freight covered safety parameters»
Mr Scimemi said it did not. Moreover it dealt only with transfrontier transport.
On the Committee's behalf the Chairman thanked Mr Scimemi very much indeed for a lively and enlightening exchange of views.
5. DESERTED VILLAGES
Mr Fajardo, rapporteur„ introduced a preliminary draft report (AS/Loc (39) 4) on the subject. A motion for a recommendation on new life for deserted villages (Doc. 5295) had been referred to committee in November 1984 (Reference 1459).
In the first part of the report he intended taking stock and analysing the reasons for depopulation in a number of rural areas. Urban overpopulation as well as the economic crisis was causing some resettlement of country areas if not a return to village life. Yet a village and rural revival could do a great deal to protect the environment and the architectural heritage, revitalise craftsmanship and create employment.
There were examples' >of resettlement and regeneration of deserted villages. It was worth examining them and, possibly with other committees concerned, holding a colloquy to exchange information on the subject.
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Sir Geoffrey Finsberg said a distinction should be drawn between genuine village regeneration and "weekend villages"„ and he was sceptical about part-time farmingo
The Chairman agreed about "weekend villages": in general, influxes of weekenders from towns only created more problems such as dearer land and more infrastructure requirements.
Mr Ahrens agreed that weekenders were not the answer to village regeneration. What was needed was permanent residents whose main work was in the village. Special efforts were needed on behalf of young people.
Mr Mitterdorfer said farming was important to environment protection and thus had a social function which needed recompensing in some shape or form. Tourism, too, could often be an important regeneration factor.
Mr Fajardo promised to look into the various points raised.
The Committee approved the preliminary draft report in outline and the proposal to hold a colloquy on the subject before reporting to the Assembly.
6. A NEW COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Mr Lacour gave his thoughts on the subject, which were the fruit of extensive consultation and discussion. One thing could be taken as read: intensive agriculture had caused a crisis - overproduction, soil depletion, decline of fauna and flora, and rural depopulation. Thorough multidisciplinary enquiry was needed into how to reestablish an ecological - and social - balance.
The role of leisure, tourism and forestry needed reconsidering in terms of interaction with diversified, environment-minded agriculture. In various countries there had been local experiments, which it would be instructive to analyse and compare and from which it might be possible to learn lessons valid for all countries. The best way of analysing the problem would be to hold a colloquy and make a report to the Assembly.
The Chairman thought this an important matter which was worth raising but which needed tackling in close co-operation with the Committee on Agriculture.
Mr Prat thought there was much to be gained from a study of national experience.
Mr Bosch agreed it was an extremely important matter. The Assembly could perhaps draw up new aims for agricultural and rural policy.
The Chairman said again how very important the matter was. It was necessary to identify not only the needs but also the obstacles to meeting them.
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The proposal was approved and Mr Lacour was instructed to put forward a motion for a recommendation to implement it»
7. FOLLOW-UP BY THE COMMITTEE pF MINISTERS TO RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
The Chairman drew attention to the Committee of Ministers communication concerning Recommendation 1036 on preventive action and protection against natural hazards in the Mediterranean Basin (AS/Loc (39) 6). The communication informed the Assembly of the setting-up9 by means of an open partial agreement,, of a co-operation group on prevention. The Assembly had every reason to welcome this development»
The communication was. noted,
8. FUTURE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE
The Chairman said they need look no further than agenda items 6 and 7 for two important subjects of work for the next 12 months. For the January 1988 session they would have to prepare a contribution to the North-South debate (rapporteur Mr Cuatrecasas) and another to the debate on ECMT activities (rapporteur to be appointed).
As a contribution to European Year of the Environment he thought the Committee should follow up its several previous reports on European environment policy with another report on the subject to the Assembly in January or April 1988.
He would also like it to .enquire into conditions of captivity of 'zoo animals in Europe and intended personally tabling a motion for a resolution to that effect.
The proposals were approved.
9. EUROPE PRIZE
/AS/Loc (39) 5? a. Revision of the regulations
In the absence of Mrs van der Werff-Terpstra, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on the Europe Prize, the Chairman introduced proposals, which the sub-committee had drawn up over several meetings, for amendments to the regulations in the light of experience and present circumstances, Inter alia it was suggested that "municipality" should be treated as including "territorial authorities" and that arrangements should be laid down for presenting flags of honour to territorial authorities.
Mr Debetaz said he would like to make a number of stylistic changes to the wording.
The overall amendments to the regulations were approved.
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b. Reports on recent presentation ceremonies
The Chairman said he thought the Europe Prize presentation to Berlin-Neukolln on 31 July 1987 had been a great success. The ceremony had been held on the main square, watched by a large crowd» The President of the Assembly had performed the presentation, which had received exceptional coverage in the media.
Mr Mitterdorfer said the presentation to the small town of Giengen (FRG) on 4 July 1987 had been attended by large delegations from its twin towns. The presentation to the border town of Burghausen (FRG) on 16 July 1987 had been well attended by Burghausen1s Austrian neighbours.
Mr Bosch said the presentation to Wessem (Netherlands) on 31 July 1987 had been in two parts, the first inside the town hall, the second on the main square with participation by large numbers of young people.,
Reporting on the presentation to Collegno (Italy) on 5 July 1987, Mr Lacour said the ceremony had likewise been held on the main square and been well attended by representatives of Collegno's twin municipalities, including delegations from Eastern Europe.
Sir Geoffrey Finsberg said the presentation to the small town of Oud en Nieuw Gastel (Netherlands) on 19 August 1987 had been attended by 200 or so local residents as well as by Dutch members of the Assembly and delegations from Oud en Nieuw Gastei's twin towns. The ceremonies had ended with an open-air concert in the evening.
Reporting on the presentation to Hechingen (FRG) on 5 September 1987, Mr Adriaensens said the ceremony had been part of a big holiday celebration attended by over 1,500 people including a large delegation from France. Migrant workers living in Hechingen had taken part as well.
Mr Cuatrecasas said the presentation to S a in t-P e ray (France) on 6 September 1987 had likewise been part of a grand holiday reunion with Saint-Peray's twin towns to mark the 20th anniversary of the twinning with Gross-Umstadt.
The Secretariat informed the Committee of a telephone call from Mr Dejardin expressing disappointment with the arrangements the municipality of Aigle (Switzerland) had made for its presentation on 5 September 1987. c. Forthcoming flag presentations
Mr GAMA to Torbay (United Kingdom) on 18 September 1987;
Mr MOREIRA, deputatising ,for Mr Lilaia, to Dixperlo (Netherlands) on 19 September 1987;
Mr MITTERDORFER to Schorndorf (FRG) on 10 October 1987;
Mr LILAIA to Polheim (FRG) on 30 October 1987;
Mr ADRIAENSENS to Hainburg (FRG) on 30 October 1987;
Mr BOSCH to Priverno (Italy) on 25 October 1987.
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10. OTHER BUSINESS
The Secretariat announced on behalf of Mr Gonzalo Robles ¡> whom the Committee had appointed to attend the Antalya colloquy on land-use polity, that he would not be able to attend the seminare
Mr Prat said he too had received an invitation from the Turkish authorities.
Mr Prat was asked to represent the Committee at the seminar and report back.
11. DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was decided to hold the next meeting at Strasbourg on Friday 2 October 1987 at 8.30 am0
The meeting rose at 5.30 pm.
CONFIDENTIAL AS/LOC (39) PV 3 LIST OF DECISIONS
The Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities, meeting in Paris on 9 September 1987 (at OECD headquarters) with Mr Hardy in the chairs - listened to a statement by Mr Scimemi, OECD's Deputy Director for Environment, on his organisation's environment policy, and held an exchange of views with Mr Scimcmi; - entrusted Mr Steverlynck, Rapporteur, with the task of formulating an opinion on OECD's environmental activities in the light of this debate, to be discussed and adopted at the next meeting; - re-examined the amendments already adopted on the subject of the nuclear acidents report in the light of the latest version of Mrs Morf's draft recommendation (Doc. 5757) and decided to re-examine the question at its next meeting in the light of the Committee on Science and Technology's opinion; - took note of the outline report on deserted villages presented by Mr Fajardo, and decided to go further by organising a colloquy on the subject in 1988; - heard a statement by Mr Lacour on a new management of the agricultural countryside and on the timeliness of organising a colloquy on the subject, and decided to follow-up Mr Lacour's proposals bearing in mind that Mr Fajardo's proposals concerning deserted villages should be examined at the same time; - decided to prepare a new report on Europe's environmental policy to be submitted to the Assembly in January or April 1988; - noted with satisfaction the Committee of Minister's response to Recommendation 1036 on preventive action and protection against natural hazards in the Mediterrranean Basin; - heard accounts of presentations of flags of honour to European towns and districts; - adopted a revision of the Rules governing the Europe Prize and the flags of honour; - designated its delegates for the following presentations: . Mr Gama at Torbay (GB) - 18.9.87 . Mr Moreira to replace Mr Liliaia at Dixperlo (ML) - 19.9.87 . Mr Mitterdorfer at Schorndorf (RFA) - 10.10.87 . Mr Lilaia at Pohlheim (RFA) - 30.10.87 . Mr Adriaensens at Hainburg (RFA) - 30.10.87 . Mr Bosch at Priverno (Italy) - 25.10.87 - decided to hold its next meeting on Friday 2 October 1987 at 8.30 am in Strasbourg. «o/ijuc (j y ) v j j
IH¿i E
Strasbourg, 7 September 1987 Restricted aal390J.3R AS/Loc (39) OJ 3 rev.
ILLAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
DRAFT AGENDA of the meeting to be held on Wednesday 9 September 1987 at 2 p.m at the headquarters of the OECD 19, rue de Franqueville, Paris 16e
AGENDA
ACTIVITIES REPORT OF THE OECD - statement by Mr G. Scimemi, Deputy Director of the Environment of the OECD on the environment policy of the organisation - exchange of views - preparation of an opinion on the chapters "environment" and "urban affairs" of the report of the OECD Rapporteur! Mr Steverlynck
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4. NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS
5. DESERTED VILLAGES
6. TOWARDS A NEW MANAGEMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONTRYSIDE Presentation of a project of a colloquy by Mr Lacour
7. FOLLOW-UP BY THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS TO RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
8. FUTURE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE
9. EUROPE PRICE AND FLAGS OF HONOUR
10. OTHER BUSINESS Antalya seminar (21-25 September 1987)
11. DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING