WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2594/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Cement dust pollution in Evvia
Date: 1998-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Greece, air quality, cement, environmental protection, industrial pollution, infringement of EU law, pollution control measures, public health













EUR-Lex - 91998E2594 - EN






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91998E2594

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2594/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Cement dust pollution in Evvia  


Official Journal C 118 , 29/04/1999 P. 0098 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2594/98by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission(1 September 1998)Subject: Cement dust pollution in EvviaThe inhabitants of Khalkis (Evvia) are in uproar over the pollution caused by the cement factory owned by Tsimenta Khalkidos.The company refuses to take measures to protect the environment and, as a result, is harming the health of the population of Khalkis and the region as a whole as well as causing unprecedented damage to its sensitive environment.Tsimenta Khalkidos was sold a few years ago, two of the main objectives of selling being to increase employment and protect the environment and public health. Whereas the number of workers employed by the company in 1991 was 1150, the current figure is half that, while the factory's filters have not been modernized and its environmental performance does not meet international standards.What action will the Commission take to compel the company to honour its pledges to meet the environmental criteria?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission(30 September 1998)Plants for the production of cement fall under the scope of Council Directive 84/360/EEC on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants(1). Under this Directive, Member States have to take the necessary measures to ensure that the operation of such plants requires prior authorization by the authorities. An authorization may be issued only when the authorities are satisfied that all appropriate preventive measures against air pollution have been taken, including the application of the best available technology, provided that the application of such measures does not entail excessive cost, and that the use of the plant will not cause significant air pollution. Member States shall also implement policies and strategies, including appropriate measures, for the adaptation of existing plants to the best available technology. The Directive, however, does not fix emission limit values for polluting substances.Installations for the production of cement clinker in rotary kilns with a production capacity exceeding 500 tonnes per day or lime in rotary kilns with a production capacity exceeding 50 tonnes per day or in other furnaces with a production capacity exceeding 50 tonnes per day fall into the scope of Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control(2). This Directive will come into effect by end of October 1999. The permit to be issued for such installations shall include emission limit values for pollutants, based on the best available techniques. Existing installations have to comply with the requirements of the Directive not later than eight years after the date on which it is brought into effect.The information given by the Honourable Member is not sufficient to conclude whether or not there is a breach of Community legislation. The Commission will therefore send a letter to the Greek authorities, asking for complementary information.(1) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984.(2) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.