WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2095/97 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Electronic scrap
Date: 1997-06-19
Institutions: BREYER, European Parliament
Subjects: dangerous substance, electrical equipment, mercury, metal waste, toxic substance, waste disposal, waste management

11. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 76/75

(98/C 76/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2093/97

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(19 June 1997)

Subject: UNGASS Conference 23-27 June 1997

What measures does the EU intend to adopt to meeting its goal of reducing CO2  in transport and agriculture?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1997)

As far transport is concerned, the major contribution to the CO2 emission reduction is expected to come from the
full implementation of the Community strategy to reduce CO2 from passenger cars (1). A further potential lies in a
reduction of traffic in urban areas and improvement of road freight transport (better logistics). Furthermore, there
are long term actions which include efforts to promote modal switch, especially from road to rail, the promotion
of short sea shipping, traffic management programmes, fair and efficient pricing, along with a series of other
measures.

The major problem as regards emissions in the agricultural sector is methane emissions, which can be expressed
in CO2 equivalent. In general terms, common agricultural policy (CAP) reform in 1992 halted increases in some
animal  sectors  thus  tending  towards  a  stabilisation  of  methane  emissions  from  livestock.  In  the  beef  sector
production has tended to stabilise since 1992 due to decreased cattle numbers. In the dairy sector production has
been stable since the quota system came into force in 1984 with very significant decreases in dairy cow numbers.
In the sheep sector the long-term upward trend was halted in 1992 with the introduction of a premium quota
regime. Since then production has stabilised and sheep numbers have declined significantly. In the poultry and
pig sectors there have been constant rises in numbers and production, due to increasing demand and in part to
their benefiting from more competitive cereal prices since the 1992 CAP reform. Specific measures which focus
solely on reducing CO2  emissions are not foreseen in the CAP. However, limitations on production and falling
livestock  numbers  in  the  cattle  and  sheep  sector  will  lead  to  a  reduction  in  total  greenhouse  gas  emissions
(including methane) in the agricultural sector from these sources.

(1) 

1 [COM(95) 689 final; Council Conclusions of 25 June 1996.

(98/C 76/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/97

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(19 June 1997)

Subject: Electronic scrap

1.  What plans are there for avoiding toxic materials in electronic scrap, e.g. fire retardants or heavy metals?

2.  a)  How many installations are there in the EU authorized to process material treated with halogen-based

fire retardant?

2.  b)  Are there enough such installations?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1997)

At Community level no legislation exists to prevent the use of toxic materials in electrical and electronic

1.
equipment which constitute particular problems when the products are thrown away.