WRITTEN QUESTION P-1981/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(15 June 1998)

Subject: Environmental measures to combat the depletion of the ozone layer

According to the World Ozone Data Centre there has been a 10 % decline in the ozone layer in Greece over the last eight years, while ultraviolet radiation has increased by 15-20 %. The World Meteorological Association has warned that each percentage decline in the ozone layer can be expected to result in a 3-4 % increase in the number of cases of skin cancer. On the basis of these findings Greenpeace estimates that annually 1 600 000 people on the planet will develop cataracts and 400 000 skin cancer. Will the Commission say what measures it has taken to protect human health and the natural environment from the consequences of the destruction of the ozone "shield" around the earth and whether the Montreal protocol is being respected in the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Human health and the natural environment are at risk from the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. Lower levels of stratospheric ozone result in increased amounts of harmful ultra-violet (UV)-B radiation from the sun reaching the earth's surface. This can lead to increases in skin cancer and cataracts in humans and well as damage to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

In order to reduce the severity of the risk and to accelerate the recovery of the ozone layer, the Commission negotiates on behalf of the Community with other parties to the Montreal Protocol to accelerate the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances. At the meeting last year in Montreal, phaseout dates were set for the ozone-depleting substance methyl bromide and tighter controls on trade were introduced. Unfortunately the Commission was not successful in persuading other parties to accept tighter controls on hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

Within the Community, the Commission has constantly pressed for the earliest possible phaseout of ozone-depleting substances, consistent with the availability of technically and economically feasible alternatives. Under Regulation (EC) 3093/94 on substances that deplete the ozone layer(1), the production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was phased out in 1995, one year ahead of the obligations under the Montreal Protocol and phaseout dates and use controls were introduced for HCFCs. The Commission has on the 1 July 1998 a proposal for a revision to that regulation. This would, inter alia, tighten controls on HCFCs and methyl bromide, introduce a ban on the sale and continued use of CFCs and halons and put in place a more comprehensive system for licensing and monitoring trade in ozone-depleting substances.

While a Community regulation is directly applicable in Member States, under the EC Treaty it is the Member States which enforce the control measures and provide adequate sanctions and penalties. The Commission is seldom notified formally of breaches to the Montreal Protocol in the Community, but is aware of cases where CFCs and other banned ozone-depleting substances might have been smuggled on to the Community market. Such cases are investigated by the Commission and last year, as a result, one case was successfully prosecuted by the Member State concerned. This work continues. The Commission has also organised meetings of Member State environment and customs authorities to exchange information on how best to prevent illegal trade, and will propose a ban on the placing on the market and use of certain ozone-depleting substances that are suspected of being traded illegally.

In addition to these measures to protect the ozone layer, the Commission has also informed Member States about the importance of setting up awareness-raising campaigns for Community citizens about the dangers of exposure to solar radiation. Information about the UV index has been circulated and discussions have taken place about how the public might be better informed of the risk and of appropriate measures to take.

(1) OJ L 333, 22.12.1994.