Legality of reforestation works under the ‘Alexandros Baltatzis’ programme
7.3.2013
Question for written answer E-002664-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Nikos Chrysogelos (Verts/ALE)
The project entitled ‘Reforestation of afflicted areas of the pine forest in the region of Lampeia-Astra-Kryovrysi-Tsipiana in the Municipality of Archaia Olympia’ was included in the ‘Alexandros Baltatzis Programme for Rural Development in Greece 2007‐2013’ under decision No 168608/442 adopted on 19 March 2012 by the Special Secretary for Forests. It has a budget of EUR 4 013 113 for the reforestation of 2 130 decares and is being co-financed from an EU contribution of 79.37% and a national contribution of 20.63%. However, according to local residents, the area which is to be reforested has never been damaged by fire and there are no gaps in the tree cover which justify the project. On Christmas Eve in 2012, the Pyrgos Forestry Commission signed contract No 5.888 with a private contractor to complete the project at a total cost of EUR 3 765 887.21 and, on 14 January 2013, the Pyrgos Forestry Commission adopted decision No 94 appointing a forestry expert to oversee the project. According to a report by public inspectors which was recently sent to the prosecution service of the Ileia Lower Criminal Court, he and another Forestry Commission employee appear to have reclassified forest areas afflicted by the catastrophic and fatal fire in Ileia in the summer of 2007 for the benefit of a private individual. On Monday, 4 March, the prosecution service of the Ileia Lower Criminal Court ordered an urgent preliminary investigation into fraud against the Greek State. In view of the above, will the Commission say:
- 1.Has it requested or does it intend to request detailed information from the Greek authorities on the practical effects of the project and the legality of the procedures applied in order to award it?
- 2.Does it intend to introduce a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the results and performance of reforestation programmes in various countries funded by European funds, so that funds ring-fenced for forests can be used more effectively?
OJ C 6 E, 10/01/2014