WRITTEN QUESTION E-0277/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: Pollution in the basin of Erodaia

The valley of Erodaia is considered one of the areas of Greece suffering the worst atmospheric pollution, owing to the lignite mines, the steam-powered DEI electricity generating plants and a nitrate plant operating in the region.

The main pollutants are airborne ash and sulphur dioxide which, according to a recent study by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, produce a high incidence of chronic bronchitis and diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and the eyes.

Will the Commission say whether Community directives concerning airborne particles and SO2 are being respected, and if not, what measures it intends to take to ensure that the relevant Greek authorities comply with Community legislation and protect public health and the environment?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (25 March 1998)

Council Directive 80/779/EEC of 15 July 1980 on air quality limit values and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates ((OJ L 229, 30.8.1980. )) (amended by 89/427/EEC ((OJ L 201, 14.7.1989. ))) sets limit values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates in the atmosphere in order to protect human health and the environment. The Directive requires Member States to monitor concentrations of sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates in the atmosphere and take appropriate measures to ensure that concentrations do not exceed the limit values. In the event that limit values are exceeded, Member States must inform the Commission giving the reason and the measures taken to avoid any recurrence.

There is no evidence that Greece is infringing Directive 80/779/EEC. The Commission publishes an annual summary report on the application of this Directive which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament. From 1992/1993 to 1995/1996 there have been no reports that the limit value for sulphur dioxide in Greece was exceeded. However, the limit value for suspended particles was exceeded once in 1992/1993 and 1995/1996 and twice in 1993/1994 and 1994/1995.

The Community is currently developing new ambient air quality legislation. Council Directive 96/62/EC ((OJ L 296, 21.11.1996. )) of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and management establishes a framework for air quality policy in Europe, designed to avoid, prevent and reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment. The Directive includes a timetable for proposals from the Commission for daughter legislation to set ambient air quality standards for twelve individual pollutants.

The Commission has put forward a proposal for a daughter directive ((OJ C 9, 14. 1.1998. )) to set health-based air quality limit values for sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead, and deadlines by which the limits have to be met. Where pollution is above a certain level, Member States will be required to prepare and implement detailed action plans designed to achieve the limit value by the attainment date. It is hoped that a common position will be reached on the daughter directive during the British presidency. The limit values in Directive 80/779/EEC will continue to apply until the dates by which the new limit values will have to be met.

There are also a number of Community directives which apply to air pollution from specific industries. Council Directive 88/609/EEC of 24 November 1988 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants ((OJ L 336, 7.12.1988. )) applies to combustion plants for the production of energy with a thermal input exceeding 50 MegaWatt (MW). The intention is to reduce sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates emissions from these large combustion plants, by means of a combination of provisions concerning global emissions from existing plants (ceilings) and requirements on new plants (emission limit values).

Existing plants are defined as those put into operation before 1 July 1987. For these plants, considered as a whole in each Member State, national ceilings for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides have been set, which must be complied with according to a set timetable (1993, 1998, 2003). For new plants (original operating licence for construction or operation granted after 1 July 1987) the licence must contain conditions relating mainly to compliance with emission limit values in respect of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust.

Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) ((OJ L 257, 10.10.1996. )) covers all combustion installations with a rated thermal input exceeding 50 MW, and also the production on an industrial scale of nitrogen oxides, nitric acid and nitrogen-based fertilizers. Mining is not mentioned explicitly, although the Directive does cover 'directly associated activities which have a technical connection with the activities carried out on (an IPPC) site and which could have an effect on emissions and pollution'.

IPPC aims to achieve an integrated approach to pollution prevention and control, and sets as a basic obligation of industrial operators that 'all the appropriate preventive measures are taken against pollution, in particular through application of the Best Available Techniques (BAT)'. From October 1999 (for new or modified installations) and October 2007 (for existing installations), all installations covered by the Directive must be subject to a permitting procedure. The permits must contain conditions, including emission limit values, based on BAT 'but taking into account the technical characteristics of the installation concerned, its geographical location and the local environmental conditions'. Additional measures must be taken if necessary in order to comply with environmental quality standards set out in Community legislation.