EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/473

(2004/C 78 E/0497)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3144/03

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: EU funding for the Spanish National Hydrological Plan

Concerns have been expressed that the Spanish National Hydrological Plan will infringe the Habitats, Birds, Environmental Impact Assessment and Water Framework Directives and cause widespread environmental destruction in Spain. It is understood that the Spanish Government will seek to obtain around EUR 8 billion in Structural and Cohesion funds to finance the project.

Will the Commission ensure that no EU funds are allocated to this plan until its compliance with EU environmental legislation has been assured?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2003)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's answers to the following oral and written questions: H-211/03 by Mr de Roo during question time at Parliament's April 2003 session (1); H-810/02 by Mr Davies during question time at Parliament's December 2002 session (2); H-678/02 by Mrs Sornosa Martinez during question time at Parliament's October 2002 session (3); H-452/02 by Mr Davies during question time at Parliament's June 2002 session (4); H-444/02 by Mr Marset Campos during question time at Parliament's June 2002 session (5); H-947/01 by Mr Mayol i Reynal during question time at Parliament's December 2001 session (6); H-561/01 by Mrs Sornosa Martinez during question time at Parliament's July 2001 session (7); P-1610/03 by Mr Colom i Naval (8); E-1499/03 by Mr Mendiluce Pereiro (9); P-1171/03 by Mr Davies (10); P-0689/03 by Mrs Gonzalez Alvarez (11); P-0653/03 by Mr Mayol i Raynal (12); P-0638/03 de Mr Mendiluce Pereiro (13), E-0510/03 de Mr Colom I Naval (14), E-0509/03 de Mr Colom I Naval (15), E-2819/02 de Mr Davies (16), E-2708/02 de Mr Davies (17), E-1334/02 de Mrs Sornosa Martinez (18), E-0997/02 de Mr de Roo (19), E-0638/02 de Mr Mayol I Raynal (20), E-3205/01 de Mr de Roo (21), P-2918/01 de Mr Pittella (22), E-2614/01 de Mrs Sornosa Martinez (23), E-2568/01 de Mr Corbett (24), E-2288/01 de Mr de Roo (25), P-1231/01 de Mrs Sornosa Martinez (26), E-811/01 by Mrs Sornosa Martinez (27), E-0645/01 by Mr de Roo (28), E-0004/01 by Mr de Roo (29) and E-0003/01 by Mr de Roo (30).

The Commission will analyse carefully any request submitted by the Spanish authorities for financing of projects included in the Spanish National Hydrological Plan and the approval of such projects will be subject to their strict compliance with all applicable Community legislation and policies, including those relating to the environment.

(1) Oral reply, 8.4.2003.

(2) Written reply, 17.12.2002.

(3) Written reply, 22.10.2002.

(4) Written reply, 11.6.2002.

(5) Written reply, 11.6.2002.

(6) Written reply, 11.12.2001.

(7) Written reply, 3.7.2001.

(8) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 52.

(9) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 157.

(10) OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 162.

(11) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 160.

(12) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 160.

(13) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 160.

(14) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 141.

(15) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 140.

(16) OJ C 92 E, 17.4.2003.

(17) OJ C 92 E, 17.4.2003.

(18) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

(19) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

(20) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

(21) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002.

(22) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002.

(23) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002.

(24) OJ C 93 E, 18.4.2002.

(25) OJ C 93 E, 18.4.2002.

(26) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001.

(27) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001.

(28) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001.

(29) OJ C 235 E, 21.8.2001.

(30) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001.