Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-12-19-Speech-4-121"
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"en.20021219.5.4-121"2
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"Mr President, mountain regions are proclaiming themselves as areas of economic, social and cultural life, but they are seeking recognition. Firstly, they are seeking recognition of their handicaps. Regions can only be classified as mountainous on the basis of their altitude. Difficulty of access, harsh climate and declivity should also be taken into account.
Mountain regions are also seeking recognition for the quality of their products. They do have a reputation for high quality, but that can only be valued if consumers can identify the products. Steps are being taken on this and we should support them.
In promoting the mountain economy we need to take into account the fact that it is developing in a fragile environment that needs to be both preserved and developed. It is therefore difficult to find the balance, which needs to be supported by coherent legislation, which is not currently in place. I am thinking in particular of legislation on bringing livestock rearing and shepherds’ huts up to standard, which is difficult to implement in some mountain ranges.
Conservation programmes, such as the LIFE and NATURA 2000 programmes, for example, also have damaging consequences for economic activity. Mountainous regions will only remain open if everything possible is done to offer those who have chosen to live there prospects for the future, particularly young people.
We therefore need effective policies for mountainous regions that are adapted to each mountain range and based on management that is devised jointly by elected representatives, public services and professionals. These policies must work towards compensating for the excess cost of production, the opening up of regions, the diversification of activities, maintaining public services and developing specialised training and access to new technologies.
Agriculture, pastoralism and forestry play an essential role in mountain regions. Not only do they generate quality products, but they are also the only means of maintaining sites and keeping them secure.
In certain mountain ranges, however, pastoralism is being put at risk by the reintroduction of predatory species, and the poor management of their populations.
Diverse landscapes, high-quality products, ‘green lungs’, rare species: mountain regions are and must remain diverse. We should not make them into sanctuaries, or into deserts."@en1
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