WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1118/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Lethal threat of algae in the Mediterranean
Date: 1998-04-08
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Mediterranean Sea, algae, marine life, natural disaster, protection of animal life, protection of plant life, scientific research, toxic substance

22.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 50/11

(1999/C 50/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1118/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: Lethal threat of algae in the Mediterranean

In her answer of 30 October 1997 to my question No E-2987/97 concerning the alga (cid:145)Caulerpa taxifolia(cid:146),
Commissioner Bjerregaard politely referred me to the research carried out by Posidonie, a scientific group based
in Marseille.

Recently (18-20 March 1998), a meeting of scientists was organized in Heraklion, Crete, to study ways of halting
the development of the two types of algae ((cid:146)taxifolia(cid:146) and (cid:145)rakemoza(cid:146) of the (cid:145)caulerpa(cid:146) family) which are
threatening the Mediterranean Sea, including Greek waters, with total devastation. It should be noted that these
algae, which grow around Crete, in the Aegean and the Pagasitic Gulf, are toxic and threaten to wipe out fish and
plant life.

How does the Commission intend to stop the abnormal situation which is developing in the sea around Greece
and in the entire Mediterranean, particularly as the tourist season is about to start and an environmental disaster
will have repercussions for low earners in the EU with jobs in the tourist industry?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 1998)

Research on caulerpa, which is of great importance mostly for the Western Mediterranean Sea so far, has been
carried over over years in the context of the Mediterranean action plan (MAP). The Commission, being a
contracting party of the Barcelona Convention and its related protocols, follows and encourages such research
within MAP, or by marine laboratories of countries mostly facing the problem.

Scientists of the National marine research centre (EKTHE) in Greece have recently argued that caulerpa taxifolia
is not present in Greek waters and that the caulerpa species encountered in the area are not toxic. The report and
the recommendations of the scientific meeting organised by MAP and the United nations environment
programme (UNEP) in Crete, 18-20 March 1998, make a clear difference between the species caulerpa taxifolia
and caulerpa racemosa.

Any possible structural measures are the responsibility of the Member States. The Commission can finance
projects submitted by the interested Member States, on the basis of existing regulations and programmes.

(1999/C 50/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1120/98

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(8 April 1998)

Subject: Non-acceptance of validity of French car insurance in the UK: ref: 980024A

Can the Commission explain why a full car insurance purchased in France was not accepted by UK Vehicle
Registration Officers when my constituent Mr Moisdon, came to renew his vehicle road tax? If insurance cover,
other than for cars, applies throughout the EU, can the Commission indicate how this anomaly exists? Is this not
an example of obstruction to the single market in insurance services? Does the Commission plan any action in this
respect?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 1998)

In respect of compulsory cover under motor insurance policies, Article 3.1 of Directive 72/166/EEC (first motor
insurance directive), as amplified by Article 1 of Directive 84/5/EEC (second motor insurance directive) and
Article 1 of Directive 90/232/EEC (third motor insurance directive) provides for the introduction of obligatory