WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2073/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Non-ionizing radiation in the communes of Orte and Gallese
Date: 1998-07-07
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: Latium, archaeology, countryside conservation, electromagnetic interference, environmental protection, heritage protection, occupational health, public health, radio telecommunications, satellite communications

5.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 31/119

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2065/98 and E-2341/98
given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 1998)

Article 126 of the EC Treaty states that the Community shall contribute to the development of quality education
by encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their
action, while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the
organisation of education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity.

It follows that each Member State is responsible for the content of its teaching and for the organisation of its own
education system. There are no Community provisions making the mutual recognition of diplomas compulsory,
except for certain regulated professions.

With regard to education in the arts, the situation varies considerably within the Community, or even within
Member States. Some schools are considered part of the higher secondary education sector, while others are part
of higher education establishments.

Italy does not appear to be an exception to this rule, as the government has identified, among the vast range of
establishments providing education in the arts, 44 which rank as higher education establishments capable of
participating in the Erasmus programme.

(1999/C 31/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2073/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Non-ionizing radiation in the communes of Orte and Gallese

A cellular telephony satellite station is to be built in the commune of Orte, in the province of Viterbo, with a
radiation frequency of 5 GHz. The station is to be built in an area of outstanding natural beauty and archeological
interest which is protected under Italian law and where major discoveries have been made during the construction
work.

The scheme is also causing considerable public anxiety in the area affected, particularly in the neighbouring
commune of Gallese, about possible health risks to residents and damage to the environment.

On 25 March 1998, the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) of Lazio received an application from the
commune of Gallese and several consumer associations asking for the planning permission for the scheme to be
suspended. On 15 May 1998, the State Council granted the appeal lodged by the construction firm (Elsacom s.p.a.
› IRI Finmeccanica Group), thereby revoking the TAR(cid:146)s suspension, as it perceived no immediate danger to
health since the satellite station had not been built.

In the light of these facts and the answer previously given to the author by the Commission to Question E-2630/
97 (1) on 23 October 1997, will the Commission say whether:

1.

2.

3.

4.

it agrees that the Italian authorities should be asked to stop the construction of the station in order to protect
the natural and archeological heritage of the area?

new directives have been passed or new documentation produced in the meantime on this matter?

it considers the construction of the station to be in breach of public health legislation?

in the absence of a study proving the danger of electromagnetic waves (non-ionizing radiation) but in the
absence also of a study which proves the opposite, public health should not always be given priority?

5.

it can state its general position on the matter?

(1) OJ C 102, 3.4.1998, p. 78.