The proposal was amended as follows:

Text proposed by the Commission(1)   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 1 Recital 1    (1) While action by the Community to implement the Resolution of 8 July 1991 on improving mutual aid between Member States in the event of natural or technological disaster has helped protect people, the environment and property, the need is now to ensure even better protection in the event of natural, technological and environmental emergencies, including accidental marine pollution, occurring both inside and outside the European Union, and to strengthen the provisions of the Resolution.    (1) While action by the Community to implement the Resolution of 8 July 1991 on improving mutual aid between Member States in the event of natural or technological disaster has helped protect people, the environment and property, the need is now to ensure even better protection in the event of natural, technological and environmental emergencies (including accidental or deliberate marine pollution1 ), etc. , occurring both inside and outside the European Union, and to strengthen the provisions of the Resolution. ______________ 1 Decision No 2850/2000/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 20 December 2000 setting up a Committee framework for cooperation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution (OJ L 332, 28.12.2000, p. 1). Amendment 2 Recital 3    (3) The mechanism now being proposed supplements the Community Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection by making support available in the event of an emergency. It will facilitate coordinated assistance interventions and the mobilisation of intervention teams, expertise and other resources, as required, through a reinforced Community Civil Protection structure and network of Member States' national contact points. It also provides an opportunity for collecting validated emergency information and disseminating it to the Member States.    (3) The Community Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection should be complemented by a system which will enable a series of support measures to be made available which are capable of being mobilised immediately in the event of an emergency in such a way as to facilitate coordinated assistance interventions, the mobilisation of intervention teams and expertise and other resources, as required, through a reinforced Community Civil Protection mechanism and network of Member States' national contact points. That system should also provide an opportunity for collecting validated emergency information and disseminating it to the Member States. Amendment 3 Recital 4    (4) The mechanism will duly take into account the relevant European Community legislation and international commitments.    (4) Such a reinforced Community civil protection mechanism must duly take into account European Community legislation and international commitments, without affecting the relevant reciprocal rights and obligations already acquired by the Member States under bilateral or multilateral agreements . Amendment 4 Recital 4 a (new) (4a) Prevention is the best form of protection against natural, technological and environmental disasters. Amendment 44 Recital 4 b (new) (4b) Environment liability, based on the "polluter pays" principle, is an important tool to achieve better prevention of environmental emergencies. The Commission should therefore propose a strict liability regime for environmental emergencies in future Community legislation on environmental liability. Amendment 45 Recital 4 c (new) (4c) Better prevention of emergencies in general requires action to be taken upstream. Amendment 5 Recital 5    (5) In the event of a serious emergency within the Union , or imminent threat thereof, which causes or is capable of causing transboundary effects or which may result in a call for assistance from one or more Member States, there is a need for relevant notification through an established emergency communication system.    (5) In the event of a serious emergency, or imminent threat thereof, which is capable of causing transboundary effects within the Union or which may result in a call for assistance from one or more Member States, there is a need for relevant notifications to be made through an established emergency communication and information access system. Amendment 7 Recital 6 a (new) (6a) In order to facilitate the implementation of emergency operations in the event of natural, technological or environmental disasters, citizens should be informed and trained, in particular through emergency education programmes, on how to react and behave and the precautionary measures to take in the event of disasters. Amendment 8 Recital 7    (7) In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, a Community mechanism provides an added value in supporting and supplementing national policies in the field of mutual civil protection assistance. Such a mechanism should make it possible to mobilise and coordinate assistance interventions in order to reduce loss of human life, injury, material damage and economic and environmental damage thereby making achievement of the objectives of social cohesion and solidarity more tangible.    (7) In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, a reinforced Community civil protection mechanism would provide an added value to supporting and supplementing national policies in the field of mutual civil protection assistance. Such a mechanism should facilitate the mobilisation and coordination of assistance interventions and aid so as to ensure greater protection for human beings, the environment and the cultural heritage, thereby making achievement of the objectives of social cohesion and solidarity more tangible. Amendment 9 Recital 8    (8) The isolated and outermost regions of the Union have special characteristics owing to their geography, terrain and social and economic circumstances. These have an adverse effect and create particular needs for assistance in the event of major emergency. The present Community mechanism will also allow to better respond to these needs.    (8) The isolated and outermost regions of the Union have special characteristics owing to their geography, terrain and social and economic circumstances. These affect and hamper the deployment of assistance and intervention resources in the event of serious dangers and major emergency. The present reinforced Community civil protection mechanism would also enable a better response to those situations and needs. Amendment 10 Recital 10    (10) The measures necessary for the implementation of this instrument shall be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/648/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.    (10) The measures to be taken for the implementation of this reinforced Community civil protection mechanism should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/648/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission. Amendment 11 Recital 11    (11) Use of the same Committee for the present Community mechanism as for the existing Community Action Programme in the field of civil protection should ensure consistency and complementarity.    (11) Use of the same Committee for the present reinforced Community civil protection mechanism as for the existing Community Action Programme in the field of civil protection should ensure consistency and complementarity. Amendment 12 Article 1, paragraph 1    1. A Community mechanism for civil protection intervention in the event of serious emergencies, or the imminent threat thereof, which may require urgent response action (hereinafter the "mechanism') is hereby established.    1. A reinforced Community mechanism for civil protection and humanitarian aid intervention in the event of serious emergencies, or the imminent threat thereof, which may require an urgent response is established with the aim of facilitating greater cooperation between the Member States and the Union . It shall be in force for the period of validity of this Regulation, subject to the evaluation referred to in Article 10 . Amendment 13 Article 1, paragraph 2    2. The mechanism is intended to help ensure better protection of people, the environment and property in the event of natural, technological and environmental emergencies , including accidental marine pollution, occurring inside or outside the European Union. The general purpose of the mechanism is to provide support in the event of emergencies and to facilitate coordinated assistance intervention.    2. The reinforced Community mechanism for civil protection is intended, first and foremost, to help ensure the greatest possible protection of people, the environment and property, as well as the natural and cultural heritage, in the event of serious emergencies caused by natural, technological, chemical, nuclear and environmental accidents ( including accidental or deliberate marine pollution) etc. , occurring inside or outside the European Union. The general purpose of the mechanism is to provide support, where required, in the event of emergencies and to facilitate improved coordination of assistance intervention. Amendment 14 Article 1, paragraph 3    3. The mechanism consists of a series of actions including:    3. The reinforced Community mechanism for civil protection consists of a series of elements and actions including:    - an operational emergency management, monitoring, coordination and information centre;    - the identification of resources available for coordinated assistance intervention in the event of emergencies;    - the identification of resources available in the Member States for coordinated assistance intervention in the event of emergencies;    - the setting-up of a training programme ;    - the setting-up and development of training programmes for intervention teams and for experts in the assessment of needs and coordination of the transportation of resources and teams ;    - the establishment of assessment and coordination teams;    - the creation of Community assessment and coordination teams;    - the establishment of an emergency communication system .    - the establishment of a joint system for the management of emergency communications covering information on civil protection at Community level and information relating to the national intervention resources and services in the Member States . Amendment 15 Article 2, paragraph 1, introductory subparagraph    1. In the event of a serious emergency within the Community, or imminent threat thereof, which causes or is capable of causing transboundary effects or which may result in a call for assistance from one or more Member States, the Member State in which the emergency has occurred shall, without delay, notify:    1. In the event of a serious emergency within the Community, or imminent threat thereof, which is capable of causing transboundary effects and which may result in a call for assistance from one or more Member States, the Member State in which the emergency has occurred shall, without delay, notify: Amendment 16 Article 2, paragraph 1, point (b)    (b) the Commission , in order that the latter may, as appropriate , inform the other Member States and activate its competent services.    (b) the joint emergency communication management system , in order that the latter may inform the other Member States and alert the competent Commission services, in the event that a call for assistance might possibly be dealt with by the operational centre . Amendment 17 Article 2, paragraph 2    2. Such notification shall be made through the emergency communication system. Deleted Amendment 18 Article 3, point (a a) (new)    (aa) select experts who may be mobilised to participate in a team responsible for assessing needs and coordinating assistance in the event of an emergency; Amendment 19 Article 3, point (b)    (b) provide this information to the Commission, within six months from the adoption of the present Decision, and then provide timely any updating on this information ;    (b) forward to the Commission, within six months of the date on which this Decision is adopted, specific plans for serious emergencies in the isolated and outermost regions of the various countries of the Union ; Amendment 20 Article 3, point (c)    (c) consider the possibility of also providing, as required, other intervention support , such as specialised personnel and equipment to deal with a particular emergency, including resources provided by non-governmental organisations and other relevant entities.    (c) determine what further means of intervention they have in their competent services which might be provided if required , such as specialised personnel and equipment to deal with a particular emergency, including resources provided by non-governmental organisations and other relevant entities. Amendment 21 Article 3, paragraph 1a (new) The Member States shall provide all this information to the joint emergency communication management system within six months of the adoption of this Decision, and thereafter provide any updating on this information in good time. Amendments 22 and 46 Article 4 With a view to well coordinated civil protection intervention in the event of an emergency and to ensure compatibility and complementarity between teams, the Commission shall: The Commission, in order to implement the objectives and actions laid down in Article 2, shall: (-a) establish and manage an operational emergency management, monitoring, coordination and information centre which shall function 24 hours a day;    (a) set up a training programme for intervention teams, to include joint courses and exercises and an exchange system whereby individuals may be seconded to teams in other Member States;    (a) establish and develop vocational training programmes with the aim of improving the coordination of interventions, ensuring compatibility and complementarity between resources and teams and improving the training of assessment experts. These training programmes shall include joint (technical as well as linguistic) courses and exercises and an exchange system whereby individuals may be seconded to teams in other Member States;    (b) establish the capability to mobilise small assessment and coordination teams and dispatch them immediately to the scene to render the intervention more effective and, where appropriate, to liaise with the competent authorities of the country requesting assistance .    (b) create teams of Community assessment and coordination experts who may be mobilised immediately with the aim of:    - assessing emergency situations and informing the requesting Member State, and sending the information through the operational centre to the remaining Member States;    - facilitating the coordination of interventions on the spot where this is requested and serving as a link, as required, with the authorities of the country requesting assistance;    (c) set up a programme for the evaluation and dissemination of lessons learned.    (c) establish and manage a recognised Community information system for emergency communications which will enable communications and information to be shared among the Member States, their contact points and the operational management centre. That system shall compile information, inter alia, on production and storage capacity for serum, vaccines and other medical resources required in emergencies; assess and disseminate the results of interventions carried out through this Community mechanism; encourage the introduction and use of new technologies in the systems for notification, the exchange of information and assistance to the competent authorities of the Member States which are responsible for participation in this mechanism;    (ca) prevent the duplication of mechanisms and activities in this field that already exist in the framework of other international organisations.    (cb) continue the activities already commenced, in the context of Community funds, in support of the integration of alpine rescue services in the Union, taking into account the fact that most mountain massifs are in cross-border regions; Amendment 23 Article 5, paragraph 1, introductory subparagraph    1. Where an emergency occurs within the Community , a Member State may request assistance:    1. Where an emergency occurs within the Union , a Member State may request assistance: Amendment 24 Article 5, paragraph 1, point (a), introductory subparagraph    (a) through the competent Commission services . Upon receiving such a request the Commission shall, as appropriate and without delay:    (a) through the joint emergency communication management system . Upon receiving such a request the Commission services shall, as appropriate and without delay: Amendment 26 Article 5, paragraph 2    2. Any Member State to which a request for assistance is addressed shall promptly decide, and inform the requesting Member State, directly or through the competent Commission services , whether it is in a position to render the assistance required and shall indicate the scope and terms of any assistance it might render.    2. The Member State to which a request for assistance is addressed shall promptly determine whether it is in a position to render the assistance required, shall indicate the scope and nature of any assistance it might render and shall inform the requesting Member State and the operational centre . Amendment 27 Article 5, paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. The requesting Member State shall be responsible for leading intervention operations. The authorities of the requesting Member State shall lay down the lines of action and, where necessary, the limits on the tasks entrusted to aid teams, without going into the details of their implementation, which shall be the responsibility of the person in charge appointed by the Member States offering assistance. Amendment 28 Article 5, paragraph 4    4. The provisions of this Article may also, upon request, be implemented in respect of interventions outside the Community .    4. The provisions of this Article may also be implemented in respect of interventions outside the Union . Amendment 29 Article 6 The mechanism shall be open to participation of:    - the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCECs), in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils,    - Cyprus, Malta and Turkey on the basis of bilateral agreements to be concluded with these countries. The reinforced Community mechanism for civil protection shall be open to participation of the accession candidate countries on the basis of bilateral agreements to be concluded with these countries. Amendment 30 Article 7 The Commission shall implement the actions related to the mechanism in accordance with the procedures provided for in Article 8. The Commission shall implement the actions related to the reinforced Community mechanism for civil protection in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 8(2a) . The Commission shall implement the common rules governing the following actions in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 8(2b):    - the determination of intervention resources provided for in Article 3;    - the creation of the operational centre provided for in Article 4;    - the creation of the recognised Community information system provided for in Article 4;    - the creation of the assessment teams provided for in Article 4;    - the development of the vocational training programmes provided for in Article 4. Amendment 31 Article 8, paragraph 1    1. Where reference is made to this article, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months. Deleted Amendment 32 Article 8, paragraph 2    2. The Commission shall be assisted by the same management committee as that which has been set up by the Council Decision of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection.    2. The Commission shall be assisted by the same committee as that which has been set up by the Council Decision of 9 December 1999 establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection. Amendment 33 Article 8, paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in compliance with Article 8 thereof. The period provided for in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three months. Amendment 34 Article 8, paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in compliance with Article 8 thereof. The period provided for in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three months. Amendment 35 Article 8, paragraph 3    3. For the implementation of this Decision, the Commission shall establish common rules, particularly on the following matters:    (a) the identification of resources available for coordinated assistance intervention in the event of emergencies;    (b) the setting-up of a training programme;    (c) the establishment of assessment and coordination teams;    (d) the establishment of an emergency communication system; as well as concerning the leadership of assistance intervention, taking into account traditional links between States; or the specialisation of teams, i.e. in certain disciplines or to deal with certain risks.    3. The committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. Amendment 42 Article 9 Costs relating to actions laid down in Article 1 (3) will be fully covered by Community financing. Costs relating to structural expenditure arising from actions laid down in Article 1 (3) will be fully covered by Community financing. Amendments 43 and 36 Article 10 The Commission shall evaluate the implementation of this Decision every third year from its entry into force. The Commission shall evaluate first, the implementation of the structural actions arising from this Decision every second year and, secondly, the specific action taken within the context of the PDB every year from the entry into force of this Decision . It shall forward its report and conclusions, together with any proposals for amending the Decision, to the European Parliament and the Council . Amendment 37 Annex, paragraph -1 (new)    - 1. Civil protection plans at the various territorial levels (local, regional, national, Community) are essential instruments for the achievement of the objective indicated and must be adopted by those responsible in the case of places where there are large numbers of people (schools, shopping centres, railway stations, airports and so forth), vulnerable people (hospitals, rest homes, nursery schools and so forth) or places where there are particular risks because they are development areas. The mechanism shall in addition identify, on the basis of information from the individual Member States, the scientific community and recognised bodies, particularly high risks linked to climatic and environmental changes or specific features of or conditions in any area, and shall lay down special action programmes. Amendment 39 Annex, point 3    3. The Member State requesting assistance will be responsible for directing assistance interventions. The authorities of the Member State requesting assistance must lay down guidelines and if necessary define the limits of the tasks entrusted to the intervention teams, without giving details of their execution, which are to be left to the person assigned by the Member State offering assistance. Deleted Amendment 40 Annex, point 6    6. The Member State requesting assistance must examine procedures for the rapid issue of the necessary permits, in particular for exceptional transport operations, and must also study arrangements for the free use of infrastructure where transit dues, tolls, port dues or airport taxes are levied. Deleted Amendment 41 Annex, point 8, paragraph 4 For the duration of the assistance interventions, the Member State requesting assistance must house and feed the intervention teams from the Member State offering assistance, and if their supplies and provisions run out the Member State requesting assistance must replenish them at its own expense. Deleted

(1) OJ C 29 E, 30.1.2001, p. 287.

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2000) 593 )(1) ,

-  having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 308 of the EC Treaty (C5-0543/2000 ),

-  having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A5-0180/2001 ),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

3.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.  Calls for the conciliation procedure to be initiated should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5.  Asks to be consulted again if the Council intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

6.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

(1) OJ C 29 E, 30.1.2001, p. 287.