WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1651/98 by David BOWE to the Commission. Directive 86/278/EEC
Date: 1998-05-29
Institutions: BOWE, European Parliament
Subjects: EC Directive, domestic waste, environmental protection, pollution from agricultural sources, soil protection, toxic substance

22.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 402/149

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 1998)

When investigating the complaint lodged on the same subject, the Commission contacted the Greek authorities,
who provided information on the authorization and the progress of the work, and on the studies carried out on the
effects of dams on areas classified in accordance with Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the
conservation of wild birds or proposed in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora.

Recently the complainants sent the Commission more documents providing further information. The Com-
mission will examine these and the Greek authorities(cid:146) replies, to decide what action to take next. The information
forwarded by the Honourable Member will also be taken into account.

If the Commission believes that Greece has failed to meet the obligations of Community legislation, it will take
the measures provided for in the EC Treaty (Article 169).

(98/C 402/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1651/98

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Directive 86/278/EEC

When is the Commission going to revise Directive 86/278/EEC (1)? Will it confirm that it will extend a revised
proposal to include limits for the concentrations in sewage sludge used in agriculture to pollutants such as
chromium, selenium, arsenic, fluoride, molybdenum, cobalt dioxin, PCBs, AOX, PAH, chlorinated solvents and
other organic chemicals? Will it also include in a revised proposal criteria for agricultural use in sewage sludge as
called for by the European Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC (2))?

(1) OJ L 181, 4.7.1986, p. 6.
(2) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 1998)

In 1999 the Commission intends to propose a revision of Directive 86/278/EEC on the protection of the
environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture.

At present it is not possible to indicate precisely whether the Commission(cid:146)s proposal will fix limit values for the
elements and organic pollutants of anthropogenic origin that have been cited by the Honourable Member.

Nevertheless, the Commission assures the Honourable Member that all the technical and economic elements
necessary to ensure a high level of environmental protection will be duly taken into account in the proposal.

(98/C 402/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1659/98

by Hon(cid:243)rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 May 1998)

Subject: Express railway for Porto › tendering procedure

The Commission insisted that the Portuguese authorities suspend the tendering procedure for the construction of
the express railway for Porto until the questions raised at the beginning of the year concerning the third phase of
selection of bidders had been fully clarified.