WRITTEN QUESTION E-0698/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Pollution-related diseases

In connection with the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action 1999-2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of health (COM(97) 266 final - 97/0153 (COD)) ((OJ C 214, 16.7.1997, p. 7. )), as regards the second specific objective ('risk perception and risk management') and in order to avoid unnecessarily alarming the population and encourage people to reduce exposure to environmental risks to the minimum, does the Commission not agree that much more is required than the mere dissemination of information? People must trust those who supply the information and attention must be devoted to aspects such as the social background and competence of the people involved. Finally, the communication and dissemination of information must be organized systematically.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0695/98, E-0696/98, E-0697/98, E-0698/98 and E-0699/98 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1998)

In its communication on and proposal for a public health action programme on pollution-related diseases ((OJ C 214, 16.7.1997. )), the Commission set out a three-pronged approach on diseases linked with environmental pollution: first, to fight pollution at the source, second, to act on concentrations of pollutants and the population exposed to them. Both aspects are essential elements of the Community policy on environment. The third element is complementary, and consists of public health action to be directed towards the mitigation of effects of pollution on individuals that for technical or economic considerations, might not be avoided. The proposed measures are consistent with other actions relevant to pollution-related diseases.

As indicated by the Commission at the March 1998 session of the Parliament, it is not possible, in the current state of the financial perspectives, to foresee funding of the proposed programme exceeding, for each of the five years of its duration, the amount of 1.3 MECU earmarked for the first year (1999).

The Commission underlined in its communication the importance of scientific data on the causal relationship between pollution and disease and of collating and evaluating existing data on causality.

The Commission also proposed measures to increase the level of knowledge and understanding about pollution-related diseases and their perception, assessment and management. The reason for this is that risks are not perceived in the same way by the scientific community, policy makers and the public, and that action is necessary to achieve an effective communication between these parties.

Finally, there is evidence of a significant rise in the prevalence of respiratory diseases and allergies, causing a substantial social and economic burden in Member States, as well as considerable population exposure - indoors and outdoors - to the pollutants that are thought to play a role in their causation, provocation or aggravation. As important diseases associated with pollution other than respiratory diseases and allergies are already targeted by other Community action programmes (such as the Europe against Cancer action) the Commission included in its proposals specific action on the latter. Support to food allergy preventative action such as breast feeding may well be considered in the implementation of the proposed programme, in order to complement other measures such as appropriate labelling and information on ingredients of food safety. Community policy on food safety is giving special attention to this.