Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000308/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)
Recent measures to redevelop the nature trails on the island of Ustica have raised concerns among citizens and environmental associations that they may not comply with the corresponding environmental authorisations – including the environmental impact assessment (EIA) – and with the project plan, especially in those areas that are protected as special areas of conservation, special protection areas and nature reserves, and areas adjacent to Natura 2000 site ITA 020010, Ustica Island[1].
These measures include substantial changes to the existing trails, which could damage the island’s ecosystem and biodiversity.
In view of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the problems that have been highlighted regarding these measures’ failure to comply with the requirements of the EIA[2] and Natura 2000 sites in Ustica?
- 2.Will it take action to ensure that all the measures comply with EU environmental and landscape legislation?
- 3.Will any specific checks be carried out on the project financed by the European Regional Development Fund[3] in response to the concerns raised by citizens and associations?
Submitted: 23.1.2025
- [1] Article 7 of Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive): obligations arising from Article 6(2), (3) and (4) are extended to special protection areas under Directive 2009/147/EU (Birds Directive).
- [2] Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC.
- [3] Totalling EUR 3 378 040.36, from the ERDF ROP SICILIA 2014-2020, Axis 6 – Action 6.6.1, ‘Measures to protect and develop strategic areas of natural beauty (protected land and sea areas, protected landscapes) to consolidate and promote development processes’, for the ‘Project to promote and improve the use of Ustica’s natural land and sea areas’.