EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/692

(2004/C 84 E/0777)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0872/04

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(15 March 2004)

Subject: Precautionary principle

On 18 January, ENEL (Italian national electricity company) submitted to the Commune of Rapolla (Basilicata, Italy) a request for authorisation to build a high-voltage 380 kV electricity line between Matera and S. Sofia.

On 10 May 1990 ENEL requested authorisation for an alternative plan, which would bring the line closer to housing areas in the Commune of Rapolla.

In 1994 a number of Rapolla residents took legal action against the building of the electricity line on the grounds that it was dangerously close to housing areas.

On 28 May 2003 the Potenza Court of Appeal ruled against the building of the section of electricity line to which the complaint referred, partly on the basis of an experts' report which had highlighted the increased risk of child leukaemia arising from prolonged exposure to high-level (0,3-0,4 T) electromagnetic fields. The consultants estimated that the exposure levels at average current intensity levels exceeded 0,4 T (limit established in the implementing decree of 8 July 2003 relating to framework law 36/2001).

A draft presidential decree authorising the building and operation of the alternative plan for the electricity line has been submitted to the President of the Republic for his signature.

Does the Commission not consider that this proposal is contrary to the ‘precautionary principle’ laid down by the Maastricht Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2004)

At EU level, a Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hertz (Hz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz)) was adopted in July 1999, based on the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection. The Recommendation sets out a system of basic restrictions and reference levels for overall public exposure. The level recommended for electricity lines is currently 100μΤ. It also establishes a precautionary approach to possible long-term carcinogenic effects by introducing safety margins in the exposure limits. The Commission keeps this Recommendation under constant review in the light of new scientific evidence available. Considerable research work has been undertaken to investigate a possible impact on health. However, further studies are necessary on the possible long-term effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on public exposure. The World Health Organisation is currently conducting a major assessment relating to EMF. The Commission is following this project closely. It is expected that the outcome of this work will provide key elements to determine possible further steps.

However, it is the Member States' responsibility to ensure that adequate health protection measures are taken. Where reference levels are exceeded, it is recommended that national authorities carry out an assessment of the situation and take the appropriate follow-up measures, such as informing those who are exposed or changing the installation or design of the source of radiation or the way it is operated.