WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1613/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Alpha Space Station
Date: 1998-05-25
Institutions: European Parliament, FORD
Subjects: Canada, Community budget, European Space Agency, Japan, Russia, United States, international agreement, space policy, space research, space station

C 50/56

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.2.1999

(1999/C 50/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1611/98

by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Use of the pesticide (cid:145)Lindane(cid:146)

Further to my Written Question P-0860/95 (1) and E-2008/95 (2), will the Commission outline the present
situation regarding the negotiation of the UN/ECE POPs Protocol, in particular concerning the future control of
hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) from which the pesticide (cid:145)Lindane(cid:146) is derived, and will the use of HCH be
completely banned?

(1) OJ C 179, 13.7.1995, p. 57.
(2) OJ C 9, 15.1.1996, p. 12.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 1998)

The working group on strategies established under the United Nations Economic commission for Europe (ECE)
Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (CLRTAP) finalised the protocol on persistent organic
pollutants (POPs) in February 1998. The protocol was opened for signature on the occasion of the ministerial
conference (cid:145)Environment for Europe(cid:146) in Aarhus (Denmark), 23-25 June 1998. The Community signed the
protocol on that occasion.

Hexachloro-cyclohezane (HCH) is subject to use restrictions under the protocol, not to a total ban. Annex II to the
protocol provides that technical HCH (i.e. HCH mixed isomers) is restricted to use as an intermediate in chemical
manufacturing, while products in which at least 99 % of the HCH isomer is in the gamma form (i.e. lindane) are
restricted to uses in seed treatment; soil applications directly followed by incorporation into the topsoil surface
layer; professional remedial and industrial treatment of lumber, timber and logs; public health and veterinary
topical insecticide; non-aerial application to tree seedlings; small-scale lawn use, and indoor and outdoor use for
nursery stock and ornamentals; and indoor industrial and residential applications.

These authorised uses were included in the protocol at the request of several third country parties to the
convention. All restricted uses of lindane will however be reassessed under the protocol no later than two years
after the date of its entry into force.

Lindane is also re-evaluated within the framework of Commission Regulation (EEC) 3600/92 of 11 December
1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to
in Article 8 (2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the
market (1). Any restrictions ratified by the Community in international conventions like the POPs protocol of
CLRTAP will be taken into account in this process.

(1) OJ L 366, 15.12.1992.

(1999/C 50/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1613/98

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Alpha Space Station

Can the Commission give details of the European Union involvement in the International Space Station Project
named Space Station Alpha?