WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3456/98 by Fernando FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN Protection for whales to the south of the Canary Islands
Date: 1998-11-12
Institutions: European Parliament, FERNANDEZ MARTIN
Subjects: Canary Islands, ecosystem, marine pollution, protected area, protected species, protection of animal life, tourism, vessel, whale

C 289/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.10.1999

(1999/C 289/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3443/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(24 November 1998)

Subject: Ambient air

With reference to the proposal for a Council directive relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, oxides of
nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air (COM(97) 500 final & 97/0266 SYN) (1), the decision
temporarily to establish limit values only in respect of particles of up to 10µm in diameter, with action levels
indicated only for smaller particles (2,5µm), merits approval. These reference sizes should be revised once
more sophisticated measuring techniques have been devised and once the results of the measuring exercise
have been submitted.

Will the Commission submit a report on the subject no later than two years after the entry into force of the
directive?

Will the Commission also consider whether or not the timetable for the entry into force of the limit values for
particles with a maximum diameter of 10µm can be speeded up in view of the fact that, in certain Member
States, the limit values scheduled for 2010 may be applied as early as 2005?

Lastly, will the Commission ensure that no limit value for the prevention of material damage is proposed in
respect of particles?

(1) OJ C 9, 14.1.1998, p. 6.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 1999)

The Commission will submit a report on the implementation of the proposed Council directive relating to
limit values for sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead by 31 December 2003 at
the latest. It will reconsider the question of material damage at that point.

It is the Commission’s view that it is not possible to speed up the timetable for meeting proposed limit values
for particulate matter. Meeting the proposed limit values will be a considerable challenge for most of the
Community. The Commission assumes that the national standards cited by the Honourable Member are those
to be met in the United Kingdom by 2005. Although superficially similar, these standards are not in fact
directly comparable to the proposed indicative limit values to be met in the Community by 2010. The
measurement method for particulate matter used in the United Kingdom is different from that set out in the
proposed directive. If this is taken into account the United Kingdom national standards are less challenging
than the proposed limit values.

(1999/C 289/067)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3456/98

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Protection for whales to the south of the Canary Islands

(12 November 1998)

Recent scientific studies have shown that the warm waters to the south of some of the Canary Islands have
become an important area for cetaceans. A total of 27 different species have been identified, 12 of which are
resident in these waters. Some, such as the bottle-nose dolphin, are threatened with extinction, whilst others
such as the pilot whale are exposed to a wide range of hazards.

The Life Community project provides some funds for the protection of the bottle-nose dolphin and loggerhead
turtle, which is also an endangered species. Nevertheless, cetaceans in this area are still seriously threatened by
a large number of factors: over-exploitation of resources linked to tourism, changes in the coastal ecosystem of
the islands, uncontrolled discharges of waste water in some cases, and uncontrolled visits by boats, whilst
reliable sources have complained at the passive and notoriously neglectful attitude of the competent
authorities.