WRITTEN QUESTION E-3669/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(15 January 2002)

Subject: New environmental threat to the protected marshland area of Pego-Oliva (Spain)

The Pego-Oliva marshes are one of the most important wetlands in Spain and are considered a protected area both by the authorities of the autonomous community and under European law (an SPA and in receipt of LIFE funding), but they continue to be subject to serious problems of environmental deterioration. These problems have already been highlighted in Written Questions E-1526/99(1), E-0349/99(2), E-3006/98(3), E-3831/97(4), E-2834/97(5), E-1387/96(6) and E-2897/01(7) and have led to the Commission approaching the Spanish authorities to investigate the situation. No news has been provided of the most recent details of the investigation, nor of the Commission's final decision.

The deterioration of this nature reserve, however, continues apace. In particular, the inhabitants of Revolta in the municipal area of Oliva have recently complained about an illegal drying kiln for oranges which is contaminating the waters of the Pego-Oliva nature park. According to local inhabitants, the liquid from the orange putrefaction process is spilling directly into the water table. As a

result, as can be seen from a visit to the affected area, dead animals are to be found in the vicinity of the drying kiln. Although the drying kiln does not have a municipal licence and its owner has previously been convicted of environmental offences, the spillage is continuing to pose a serious threat to the protected habitats and species in the park.

The drying kiln in Revolta is one more threat to the park's environment, which is already subject to severe pressures. One half of the bird species nesting in the park have disappeared, while numerous other species, including fish, are under threat from intensive farming, including the dumping of pesticides.

What steps will the Commission take vis-à-vis the Spanish authorities to end the threats to the Pego-Oliva marshland and ensure adequate protection of this nature zone?

(1) OJ C 27 E, 29.1.2000, p. 109.

(2) OJ C 341, 29.11.1999, p. 97.

(3) OJ C 142, 21.5.1999, p. 68.

(4) OJ C 187, 16.6.1998, p. 64.

(5) OJ C 134, 30.4.1998, p. 23.

(6) OJ C 356, 25.11.1996, p. 33.

(7) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-2897/01(1) on the action it has taken to prevent the deterioration of the Pego-Oliva marshes in Spain.

The Commission would point out that it has examined the problem of the deterioration of these marshes several times. During the investigation, questions were put to the Spanish authorities to check whether Community law was being correctly applied. The replies were carefully examined and there was no reason to conclude that the implementing legislation had been infringed.

The new information provided by the Honourable Member in her written question does not show that the activities concerned will have a significant negative effect on this protected area. Therefore, in the absence of more detailed information indicating that the Spanish authorities have failed to fulfil their obligations under Community law, the Commission is unable to intervene again in this case.

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002.