WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2094/98 by Alfonso NOVO BELENGUER to the Commission. Pollution in the river Segura
Date: 1998-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, NOVO BELENGUER
Subjects: Andalusia, Community of Valencia, Region of Murcia, action for failure to fulfil an obligation, application of EU law, environmental policy, pollution control measures, pollution of waterways, toxic substance, water treatment

29.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 118/23

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1998)

Present Community legislation provides for the control of the use of certain chemicals in order to protect
man (including workers and consumers) and the environment.

Council Regulation (EEC) 793/93 (1) establishes a general framework for the systematic evaluation and
control of the risks of (cid:145)existing chemical substances(cid:146), that is the substances used within the Community
before September 1981 and listed in the European inventory of existing commercial chemical substances
(Einecs).

Due to the large number of substances listed in Einecs (about 100 000), a priority-setting approach was
introduced by the Regulation. Three priority lists of 109 substances were drawn up. These substances,
which require attention as chemicals which might pose a risk to man and the environment and for which a
risk assessment should be carried out, are listed in three Commission regulations adopted in the period
1994-1997. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile is a substance which, whilst listed in Einecs, is not
included so far in one of the three priority lists.

However, the Commission, in consultation with the Member States, has recently started work to draw up a
new list of priority substances requiring immediate attention because of their potential effects on man or
the environment. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile may then be considered as a substance candidate
for this new fourth priority list.

It may however be noted that ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile has not been classified as a
dangerous substance in the framework of Council Directive 67/548/EEC (2) on the classification,
packaging and labelling of dangerous substances.

Within the fifth framework programme for research and technological development (RTD) (1998-
2002) (3) it will be possible to apply for research on the health effects of CS gas, specifically under key
action 1 (cid:145)Health, food and environmental research(cid:146).

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993.
(2) OJ L 196, 16.8.1967.
(3) COM(98) 8.

(1999/C 118/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2094/98

by Alfonso Novo Belenguer (ARE) to the Commission

Subject: Pollution in the river Segura

(30 June 1998)

The river Segura flows through three autonomous regions of Spain: Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia.

Industry, agriculture and tourism are chiefly to blame for the river(cid:146)s high pollution level, thus creating a
further problem to add to that of the water(cid:146)s high salt content.

The number of waste discharges into the Segura exceeds 1500.

This situation as a whole poses a threat to the river itself, to the environment, and to the quality of life of
the people living near the river.

Is the Commission aware of the current state of the quality of the water in the river Segura? If so, can it
provide the relevant information? What measures has the Commission taken, or does it intend to take, to
combat the pollution level in the river Segura?