WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2882/96 by Maartje van PUTTEN to the Commission. Drilling for gas in the Waddenzee
Date: 1996-10-31
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN PUTTEN
Subjects: Netherlands, application of EU law, complaint to the Commission, environmental impact, natural gas, offshore drilling, protected area, protection of animal life, wildlife













EUR-Lex - 91996E2882 - EN






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91996E2882

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2882/96 by Maartje van PUTTEN to the Commission. Drilling for gas in the Waddenzee  


Official Journal C 083 , 14/03/1997 P. 0083 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2882/96 by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission (31 October 1996)Subject: Drilling for gas in the WaddenzeeThe Dutch section of the Waddenzee has been designated as a Special Protection Area under the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, and qualifies under the Habitat Directive.1. Is the Commission aware that the Netherlands Government intends to permit the mining company NAM/Mobil to drill for gas in the Waddenzee?2. Would not the licensing of drilling for gas in the Waddenzee contravene Article 4(4) of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. ))?3. Is it not, at the very least, dubious whether the licensing of drilling for gas in the Waddenzee accords with the requirements laid down in Article 6 of the Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. ))?4. In reply to Question E-1722/95 ((OJ C 109, 15.4.1996, p. 2. )), the Commission says that the issue of whether there are imperative reasons 'of overriding public interest' depends on whether or not there are alternative solutions. If the Habitat Directive and the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds are to be more than vague words without practical consequences for nature conservation, can the Commission say what criteria it uses to decide whether there are alternative solutions?5. Are not long-term interests, such as the preservation of gas reserves for possible use by later generations and conservation of ecosystems, of far greater public concern than the short-term interests in using gas and generating public revenue from it?6. If the licensing of drilling does not accord with the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitat Directive and Article 4 of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, what measures will the Commission take vis-à-vis the Netherlands Government?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1996)1. The Commission is aware of the intended gas exploitation in the Wadden Sea and is looking into this matter in the framework of a complaint.2. - 3. The Commission aims to exclude risks of significant deterioration within the special protection area (SPA) in the Wadden Sea and to guarantee that gas exploitation plans comply in particular with Article 4 of the birds Directive and Article 6 of the habitats Directive.4. There are no fixed criteria to judge such questions, because judgement depends on the specific case.5. The Commission shares the wider view, that there are different well reasoned possibilities in this case to argue either way.6. If the necessary permits are not in accordance with the two directives mentioned above, the Commission will consider taking further steps to ensure compliance with Community legislation.