WRITTEN QUESTION E-3157/02

by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 November 2002)

Subject: The effects of Agent Orange on health and the environment in Vietnam

Between 1962 and 1970 the American army sprayed thousands of litres of a defoliant known as Agent Orange, containing dioxin in particular. Apart from major environmental damage, thousands of people are still affected by serious health problems such as lymphomas, cancers, Hodgkin's disease and diabetes as a result of their exposure to dioxin.

In March 2002 a conference in Hanoi brought together epidemiologists, toxicologists and environmental specialists. At the end of the conference the USA and Vietnam signed an agreement to set up a joint research programme on the effects of Agent Orange on health and the environment.

Does the Commission not think that the European Union could participate in this research programme and help to improve patient care?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2002)

The Commission welcomes the agreement between Vietnam and the United States to establish a joint research programme on the effects of Agent Orange on health and environment in Vietnam.

As already indicated in the Commission's reply to written question E-2421/01 by Ms. Ludford(1), assistance to persons affected by Agent Orange in Vietnam is mainly provided by the International Federation of the Red Cross, working in partnership with the Vietnam Red Cross, through a designated fund: The Agent Orange Fund: Assistance and rehabilitation for disabled people. This is a nation-wide programme, aimed at providing community-based services. The programme is supported by the American, German and Swiss national Red Cross societies. No request for assistance has been received by the Commission.

The Community-Vietnam bilateral co-operation programme is based on the strategy agreed with the Government of Vietnam for the period 2002-2006, which aims to facilitate and accelerate the reduction of poverty in a sustainable manner.

Under this strategy, Community-Vietnam co-operation will focus on two priority focal points:

- enhancement of human development, in particular through integrated rural development targeting some of the poorest provinces, and through support in the education sector;

- integration of Vietnam into the international economy, by assisting further economic reform and integration into international and regional economic structures.

Crosscutting themes include disaster preparedness, environmental protection, culture and education, gender equality, and the promotion of human rights, and good governance. In the framework of the agreed National Indicative Programme for 2002-2004, an indicative Community grant of EUR 101 million has been earmarked to implement specified proposals.

The Commission's overall aid budget in Asia is relatively limited. It is therefore determined to maximise its impact and the strategic focus it has adopted in Vietnam has helped to do that. Projects agreed under the 1996-2000 co-operation strategy and currently under implementation include two large programmes in the health sector and one in the environment sector. The Commission is always ready to consider other issues that may be raised, including assistance for persons affected by Agent Orange. But it needs to ensure that it retains a well-balanced and focussed approach.

In addition to the Community's bilateral co-operation programme Vietnam also qualifies for assistance under the Commission's horizontal programmes, including those concerned specifically with the environment, as well as the Community Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities and the non-governmental organisations co-financing programme for developing countries. The possibility of presenting proposals under the next calls for proposals under these programmes could also be considered.

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002.