WRITTEN QUESTION E-2901/97 by W.G. van Velzen (PPE) and Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Air-quality Directive, competition on policies and regional cooperation on the environment

At the beginning of August it was revealed that a huge soil-pollution incident had happened at Zelzate in Belgium, caused, as shown by test results, by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs, which are spread through the atmosphere, have been detected in weaker concentrations as far afield as the Zealand-Flanders border area, in particular in the localities of Sas van Gent and Axel in the Netherlands. A chemicals firm is suspected of having caused this pollution.

Is it true that PAH limit values have still not been laid down in the air-quality Directive?

Is the Commission prepared to propose strict limit values for permitted PAHs earlier than originally intended (1999)?

Does the Commission consider that environmental rules for the issuing of licences for PAHs in particular should be the same in all Member States, or should Member States be able to apply different standards?

If the latter, will the rules of competition be infringed in border areas?

Does the Commission intend, having regard to its new powers under the Amsterdam Treaty and the introduction of EMU, under which competition between Member States on environment policy must be avoided, to submit proposals for additional harmonization of environmental rules?

Does the Commission agree that it would be desirable for border regions to have access to a joint approach to tackling cross-border environmental pollution?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (7 november 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the reply given to their written question No E-2900/97 ((OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 97. )) which concerns the same issue.

The Commission intends to come forward with a proposal during the course of 1999 with regard to the establishment of air quality standards for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This was the deadline foreseen in the framework Directive 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and management ((OJ L 296, 21.11.1996. )). The Commission does not intend to anticipate this deadline.

The issuing of permits and licensing of PAH emissions and the need for harmonized approaches has already been covered in reply to the above mentioned written question1.

The Honourable Members consider it desirable for Member States to be able to develop joint approaches to environmental problems in border areas. The Commission would point out that several pieces of Community legislation already contain provisions allowing for special consultation procedures in relation to cross border issues (e.g. Article 17 of Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control ((OJ L 257, 10.10.1996. )) and Article 8 para 6 of Directive 96/62/EC). In addition, there are many international conventions dealing with cross border pollution issues. The Commission is not persuaded that the incident mentioned constitutes a basis upon which the existing provisions within the Community and in the wider international arena should be put in question.