Protecting Europe's historic and natural heritage
20.2.2018
Question for written answer E-001018-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Francesc Gambús (PPE) , Inés Ayala Sender (S&D) , Santiago Fisas Ayxelà (PPE) , Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández (S&D) , Esteban González Pons (PPE) , Javi López (S&D) , Verónica Lope Fontagné (PPE)
2018 has been declared the European Year of Cultural Heritage. A few days ago, however, a project aimed at protecting an area of ancient olive trees in the El Sénia region — which was awarded an EU ‘Europa Nostra’ cultural heritage prize in 2014 — was put under threat. A company based in Sant Celoni has dug up a number of ancient olive trees in the Ulldecona area with a view to selling them on. This is despite a formal notice from the local authorities stating that the trees should not be dug up in the interests of protecting the area’s cultural heritage and countryside. In the light of the foregoing:
- 1.What actions and programmes does the Commission think it can use to protect the area concerned, which has been designated as a cultural heritage site by the EU?
- 2.Is the Commission considering proposing new legislation or guidelines for the Member States on the protection and use of areas in which ancient olive trees can be found in Europe?