WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1633/99 by John BOWIS Threat to birdlife
Date: 1999-09-13
Institutions: BOWIS John, European Parliament
Subjects: Northern Ireland, harvester, infringement of EU law, protection of animal life, shellfish farming

C 27 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1999)

The Commission has examined the national legislation implementing the package travel Directive (90/314/
EEC) in Greece, Italy and Spain, and in all other Member States. A report on the implementation of the
Directive will be released shortly.

As a result of this examination, infringement procedures are pending against Italy (relating to the non-
implementation of a system of travel guarantees, as foreseen by Article 7 of the Directive), and Greece
(where maritime passenger carriers are exempted from the obligation to furnish the security foreseen by
Article 7). In both cases, the Commission has decided to bring the matter before the Court of justice.

Concerning the implementation of the Directive in Italy, the Commission is at this time examining the
question whether the limited scope of application of the Italian legislative decree 111/95 is in line with the
Directive. While the Directive applies to all who, other than occasionally, organise or sell package travel,
the Italian regulation applies only to those holding an authorisation to organise or sell packages.

Finally, the complaints concerning the implementation of European directives by Member States may be
addressed by anyone at any time to the Commission. The Commission examines these complaints with
great attention. In the case of the package travel Directive and the three above-mentioned Member States,
no complaints have until now been received that would indicate a need to open other infringement
proceedings.

(2000/C 27 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1633/99

by John Bowis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 September 1999)

Subject: Threat to birdlife

Is the Commission aware that mechanised cockle harvesting in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, poses
a threat to birds and their habitat and that this may be in breach of Directives 79/409/EEC (1)and 92/43/
EEC (2) What action will the Commission take to rectify this?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The Commission is not aware that mechanical cockle harvesting in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland,
poses a threat to birds and their habitats.

Strangford Lough has been classified by the United Kingdom as a special protection area (SPA) pursuant to
Article 4 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds. It has also
been proposed as a site of Community importance pursuant to Article 4 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC
of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Member States must
take steps to avoid any disturbance of the birds, for which this site has been classified as a SPA, as well as
any deterioration of their habitats.

The Honourable Member is invited to submit further details on the nature and extent of the threat to the
birds and their habitats so that the Commission can investigate the matter with the United Kingdom
authorities.