WRITTEN QUESTION E-1781/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1998)

Subject: Discharge of effluents in the River Asopos in Attica

Thousands of inhabitants of municipalities in the Prefecture of Attica have gathered around the bridge over the River Asopos to protest about the continuing discharge of effluents which is completely destroying life in the river and the southern part of the Gulf of Euboea. It should be borne in mind that for thirty years chemical waste from 350 plants has been discharged into the River Asopos; it is also planned to discharge (through a closed pipeline) other hazardous waste from 99 tanneries in the surrounding region which will end up in the tourist region of the southern Gulf of Euboea.

Will the Commission say what representations it intends to make to the Greek authorities to put an end to these plans to further pollute the river and the surrounding region?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1475/98 and E-1781/98 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(13 July 1998)

The estuary of the river Asopos is a wetland identified in a scientific inventory as a site eligible to be included, under the Habitats Directive, in the European ecological network of special areas of conservation, called Natura 2000. However, this area has not been included in the list of proposed sites notified by the Greek authorities to the Commission. Furthermore, this area has not been classified as a special protection area under the Birds Directive, nor is it scientifically identified as an important bird area.

The Commission is examining the problem of pollution in this region. A letter will be sent to the Greek authorities asking for precise information concerning the measures taken in order to avoid any further pollution of the river Asopos. In addition, information will be requested concerning the working conditions (functioning and licences) of the industries of the broader region of Oinophyta and Schimatario.

The Commission is aware of the planned tanneries industrial park in Viotia, the major objective of which is to solve very serious environmental problems that are caused by uncontrolled tanneries in the region of Attica. This is included for Community co-financing in the Greek operational programme (OP) for industry and includes construction of new facilities in Viotia and the relocation of the tanneries of Attica.

According to information available to the Commission, a full environmental impact assessment pursuant to Directive 85/337/EEC has already been carried out on the basis of an environmental impact study financed by the European regional development fund (ERDF). In the same framework, numerous studies have also been financed and carried out (feasibility study for the relocation of the Attica tanneries; feasibility and economic study for the tanneries park at Viotia; environmental impact study for the whole Asopos basin and the mouth of river Asopos submitted to the ministry of Environment for the usual evaluation and authorization procedure; technical study for the recuperation and reuse of chromium and the management of the tanneries' sludge; study concerning the topography and the cadaster of the region).

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the reply it gave to oral question H-56/98 by Mr Trakatellis during question time at Parliament's February 1998 part-session(1). The Commission asked the Greek authorities to submit detailed information during the monitoring committee of the OP for industry of 12-13 February 1998 and again during the monitoring committee of 28 May 1998. However, the information requested has not yet been submitted to the Commission for evaluation.

(1) Debates of the Parliament (February 1998).