The LIFE programme has already shown its effectiveness in many areas.

I am thinking of the LIFE programme for example.

On the contrary, we have nothing but praise for the prompt and positive use of the funds in the LIFE programme.

In many areas the parks which are a fundamental element in the LIFE programme have been established.

Madam President, in principle the LIFE programme is extremely welcome from an environmental point of view.

The involvement of the applicant countries in the LIFE programme is of enormous importance.

I nevertheless believe that the third phase of the LIFE programme should be extended from five to seven years, with a proportionate increase in funding.

We therefore voted against the amendment which made the development of this policy conditional on the results of the LIFE programme.

I also want to say a few words to Mr Bernié concerning the Life programme and different Life projects.

The LIFE Programme is the European Union's funding instrument for the environment.

The Committee on Budgets welcomes the fact that no specific proposal has been put forward concerning the LIFE programme.

That means that if no invoices are available, no payments can be made, whereas the LIFE programme works through direct implementation.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the LIFE programme is the Union's main financial instrument for promoting action in the environmental sector.

The plan, which operates across a number of SPAs, has been supported by the LIFE Programme.

The third phase of the LIFE programme ran for a five-year period, though it was implemented in four rounds due to late adoption of the legal base.

I also welcome the decision that was going to be taken, but has not, not to withdraw money from the Life Programme for the environmental projects that are so important.

These two developments set the pace of environmental reform for the next decade and the LIFE programme was one of the EU's essential environmental tools.

I am going to ask you a very specific question about a programme that falls within the sole and exclusive competence of the Commission, which is the LIFE programme.

It is also essential to increase funding for the LIFE programme and/or to establish a programme dedicated to this network so as to ensure that its objectives are met.

We Greens also see it as important progress that the LIFE programme and the programme for the protection of the environment have been prevented from falling by the wayside.

The LIFE programme and the STEER programme are two other examples of financial support for a number of cities’ projects to encourage sustainable urban transport.

I propose that we now take a decision that will keep the LIFE programme, which is due to expire in 2006, in force until the new regulation has been accepted.

The proposal for a Council regulation on the establishment of a financial instrument for the environment - the LIFE programme - which we support, forms part of this policy.

The stumbling block in the negotiations with the Council lies, of course, in the amount of the total appropriation allocated for the third phase of the LIFE programme (2000-2004).

As draftsman of the opinion of the Committee on External Economic Relations, I have limited my opinion to the external effects of the LIFE programme.