WRITTEN QUESTION E-2848/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Controlling the marketing of dangerous chemicals

The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington have spread terror and fear in Europe, since it is not exempt from the threat of terrorist attacks either. The countries of the Western Alliance were recently put on a state of alert by the US Government and the Japanese because of the fear of chemical and biological weapons being used by terrorists.

In order to help combat such risks of tragedy and step up a combined intelligence operation for a wide-ranging campaign against terrorism, does the Commission not consider it appropriate to call on the governments of the Member States:

1. to make their chemical industries carry out checks to ascertain what customers have purchased dangerous substances in the last few months which could be used to manufacture toxic weapons;

2. to ascertain whether any substances of this kind have been stolen or have disappeared;

3. to step up the exchange of information on any anomalous or irregular situations ascertained in this field;

4. to be particularly vigilant as regards their factories and staff in order to prevent any toxic substances being taken away or any attacks on factories and/or stores being carried out?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2001)

Quickly after the 11 September events, the Commission, with full backing from Member States moved to anticipate entry into force of a new Civil Protection Mechanism (foreseen for 1 January) co-ordinated by the Commission, which reinforces the EU civil protection capabilities.

In light of the events, the co-operation was extended to include:

- The pooling of expertise in the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical fields (NBC experts), available 24 hours a day to assist any country that requests help;

- Enhanced co-operation on information-sharing concerning antidotes, vaccines, antibiotics, and access to hospital treatment for any victims of such attacks;

- Creation of a system of immediate and systematic exchange of information relating to accidents or threats of terrorist attack;

- Creation of a Civil Protection monitoring and information centre in the Commission.

At the European Council in Ghent, the Heads of State and Government called on the European Commission and the Council to organise an urgent and co-ordinated program to respond to the threat of bio-terrorism.

In response to the request by EU Heads of State and Government, the European Commission approved on 28 November a Communication setting out the action it has taken to mobilise its resources, expertise and networks in the area of civil protection to respond to terrorist threats.

The Commission proposed to appoint a European Co-ordinator for Civil Protection.

Moreover, it has been decided to organise a workshop mid December under the Belgian Presidency; the latter will be entrusted with setting up a short, medium and long term working programme.

On the question raised by the Honourable Member on the exchange of information dealing with irregular or anomalous situations in the chemical industry, it would be discussed during this workshop.

In the field of public health there is already in place a basis at Community level on which one can build up an effective mechanism for an early warning and response system for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, also related to terrorist attacks. Work on the Community communicable disease network(1) has been under development and is now being accelerated urgently with the necessary assistance of Member States. Following consultation of representatives of Union Health Ministers, the Commission proposed at the Health Council of 15 November 2001, to complement the current two strands of the network, tracking diseases and rapid alert, by a third strand: emergency preparedness. The emergency coordination mechanism will in particular address progress of preparedness planning and prepare decision making mechanisms for emergency situations. The aim is to target a wider range of emerging threats and to be able to deliver authoritative expert analysis rapidly. By consequence, Community response will be built on resources existing in the Member States and at Community level and directed at gaining real added value through more effective and stronger coordination.

(1) Parliament and Council Decision No 2119/98/EC, OJ L 268, 3.10.1998, Commission Decision 2000/57/EC, OJ L 21, 26.1.2000 and Commission Decision 2000/96/EC, OJ L 28, 3.2.2000.