WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4037/98 by Wilfried TELKÄMPER Risks posed by EDF's nuclear power station at Fessenheim on the Upper Rhine in Alsace
Date: 1999-01-11
Institutions: European Parliament, TELKAEMPER
Subjects: Alsace, France, Germany, Switzerland, civil defence, ionising radiation, nuclear accident, nuclear power station, nuclear reactor, safety standard

11.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 289/117

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 1999)

The common agricultural policy plays an important role in supporting marginal areas which are
1.
frequently characterised by extensive farming methods. Livestock premiums and, to a certain extent,
compensatory allowances for farmers in less-favoured areas contribute significantly towards ensuring the
viability and continuation of farming in such areas. The common organisation of markets specifically includes
an additional extensification premium for cattle herds with a maximum density of 1,4 livestock units (LUs) per
hectare, as well as the requirement for a maximum density of 2,0 LUs per hectare for premiums to be granted.
However, particularly under agri-environmental programmes (Council Regulation (EEC) 2078/92 of 30 June
1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the
environment and the maintenance of the countryside (1)) Member States are encouraged to devise measures
designed to promote extensive production which is beneficial to the environment, in order either to sustain
existing extensive methods or to provide incentives for reducing livestock density. Evaluation has shown that
Member States’ programmes focus mainly on the latter type of measure.

Regulation (EC) 950/97 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures (2) provides for farmers to
2.
be granted investment aid for improving animal welfare in the egg and poultry sector, provided that there is no
increase in capacity. Such aid is subject to the general requirements and aid ceilings stipulated in the
Regulation. However, since it is for Member States to decide 4 in the light of their priorities 4 whether to
grant this form of aid and for their authorities to approve individual applications, the Commission does not
have information on funding for projects relating to flow pen systems for laying hens.

(1) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 142, 2.6.1997.

(1999/C 289/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4037/98

by Wilfried Telkämper (V) to the Council

(11 January 1999)

Subject: Risks posed by EDF’s nuclear power station at Fessenheim on the Upper Rhine in Alsace

On 11 December 1998 the second generating unit of the Fessenheim nuclear power station had to be shut
down because of deformation of a flexible metal bellows in the cooling system. The first unit was shut down
in August 1998 for the same reason.

What information does the Council have of the nature, extent and impact of the incident at the Fessenheim
power station and does it see a need for an inspection of the power station and the security system by an
independent expert institution to provide the public in Switzerland, Germany and France with adequate
protection against any risk?

Reply

(29 March 1999)

The Community provisions in force provide neither for notification of the Council nor for intervention on its
part as regards the incidents referred to by the Honourable Member.

The Council can only share the concern for adequate protection of the public and would point out in this
connection that Directive 96/29/Euratom (1), by laying down strengthened standards for the protection of the
health of the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation, is an important factor here.

(1) OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1.