Insufficient enlargement of the Natura Network in Galicia

8.12.2020

Question for written answer  E-006694/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE)

In its answers to parliamentary questions E-9181/2010 and E-364/11, the Commission acknowledges that the Natura Network has not been sufficiently enlarged in Galicia. Galicia’s contribution to the Natura Network continues to be one of the lowest in Spain and the EU, representing just 11.74% of protected areas. Despite adopting Decree 37/2014 declaring Galician sites of community interest to be special areas of conservation and approving the Natura 2000 Network master plan, the Galician Government has not enlarged the protected area and has therefore failed to act in accordance with the mandate of the Galician Parliament which it received in June 2017, calling for its enlargement.

The Commission must be aware of how serious the current situation is, given that there are already numerous applications for authorisation for wind and mining projects in many areas that were later included in the proposals to enlarge the Natura 2000 Network.

The authorisation of wind and mining projects serves interests that are incompatible with the preservation of protected areas. Given this threat, will the Commission open an investigation into the Galician Government’s failure to meet its repeated calls for the protected area to be enlarged?