WRITTEN QUESTION E-0406/99

by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Health threat posed by pollution in Podenzano di Piacenza (Italy)

On 27 November 1998 the Local Residents' Committee of Colombaia in the district of Podenzano (Piacenza) forwarded a report to the chairman of the Committee on the Environment (No 123) describing the health and environmental conditions in the area caused by the presence of the company River S.p.a. The area has been classified as a grade 1 polluted site. Meanwhile, the results of recent tests carried out by the local AUSL have been issued, claiming that the dangers are non-existent, despite the fact that they have been documented by other sources (161 certificates issued by specialist doctors, an experts' report by the CNR in Rome and an opinion by Dr Soffritti, a specialist in oncology from the University of Pavia, drawn up at the request of the Piacenza Public Prosecutor's Office. According to the two experts appointed by the committee (Professor Bressa of "Toxicology Consultant" in Padua and Dr Vianello from the chemical laboratory of RD Chem of Dosson di Casier (TV)), these reports have revealed the superficial nature of the methodologies employed. Moreover, the same company has already caused environmental damage in San Stefano Lodigiano (LO) where similar chemical plants exist.

In the light of the above considerations:

1. Will the Commission say whether the local supervisory authorities are subject to civil liability in this case?

2. Will it take steps to protect the health of the local population in compliance with European directives such as Directive 84/360/EEC(1), which stipulates that no authorisations may be given until it has been ascertained that there is no air pollution?

3. Will it seek to ensure that the surveys being carried out are monitored?

4. Will it bring to the attention of the Italian Government the public concern over this matter, which does not seem to have been taken into consideration by the local authorities and the Minister of the Environment, Mr Ronchi? Local inhabitants in this area have been treated as guinea pigs for four years, during which countless analyses have been undertaken that have failed to produce firm results. Meanwhile, the pollution continues and, according to Dr Soffritti, is responsible for the ill health suffered by the population and is a likely cause of future cancers. Industrial activity and the profit motive cannot be allowed to take precedence over the protection of public health and respect for the environment.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 1999)

1. This does not fall within the competence of the Commission.

2. to 4. Based on the information given by the Honourable Member, the situation to which he refers could fall within the scope of Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants. The purpose of this Directive is to provide for measures and procedures designed to prevent or reduce air pollution from industrial plants within the Community.

The installation concerned appears to be a plant authorized in accordance with this Directive (a plant in operation after 1 July 1987 or built or authorized after that date). Article 4 of Directive 84/360/EEC states

"Without prejudice to the requirements laid down by national and Community provisions with a purpose other than that of this Directive, an authorization may be issued only when the competent authority is satisfied that

- all appropriate preventive measures against air pollution have been taken, including the application of the best available technology, provided that the application of such measures does not entail excessive costs;

- the use of plant will not cause significant air pollution particularly from the emission of substances referred to in Annex II;

- none of the emission limit values applicable will be exceeded;

- all the air quality limit values applicable will be taken into account."

Article 12 of this Directive states:

"The Member States shall follow developments as regards the best available technology and the environmental situation. In the light of this examination they shall, if necessary, impose appropriate conditions on plants authorized in accordance with this Directive, on the basis both of those developments and of the desirability of avoiding excessive costs for the plants in question, having regard in particular to the economic situation the plants belonging to the category concerned."

A letter requesting information on the matter has been sent to the Italian authorities. The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to ensure the observance of Community law and in particular of Directive 84/360/EEC.

(1) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984, p. 20.