WRITTEN QUESTION E-2475/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Dioxin emission levels of incinerators in the EU.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air quality, directive (EU), environmental standard, pollution control measures, toxic substance, waste incineration

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/141

During a meeting between the Commission and the Austrian authorities on 3 December 1999, the
municipality of Vienna declared that it will publish all the contracts as of 2001.

(1) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999, p. 149.

(2000/C 225 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2473/99

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Problems of Air Traffic Control

Would the Commission agree that any increase in the average time of flight delays being experienced by
airlines and passengers because of ATC restrictions is totally unacceptable?

Furthermore, would it agree that this is principally the fault of the Member States who have failed to invest
adequately in a modern ATC system, failed to produce a single ATC area covering the EU, failed to agree a
common EU capacity plan and, as a result, are failing the travelling public?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 2000)

On 1 December 1999, the Commission adopted a communication on the current situation of air traffic
delays and on new initiatives to be taken to provide the Community with the air traffic management
system it needs to ensure the proper functioning of its internal market (1).

The Commission has made a broad analysis of the causes of air traffic delays and their trend during last
years. Several factors contribute to the situation of chronic congestion. The main factor is air traffic control
restrictions as cited by the Honourable Member. It is also widely recognised that the present level of delays
is not sustainable for passengers and airlines and it also may endanger the achievement of Community
objectives, in particular in the field of air transport policy.

The question raised by the Honourable Member, regarding the failure of Member States to provide the
Community sky with a single air traffic control system and the urgent need for remedial actions,
is
answered in this document which has been communicated to the Council and the Parliament.

(1) COM(1999) 614 final.

(2000/C 225 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2475/99

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Dioxin emission levels of incinerators in the EU

(16 December 1999)

Numerous urban waste incinerators in the Member States are still producing dioxin and furan emissions at
levels exceeding the EU(cid:146)s recommended threshold. According to the first Spanish survey of emissions of
those substances, recently made public by the Spanish Higher Scientific Research Council, certain
incinerators have been registering emissions as high as 1,08 nanograms per cubic metre, while the EU(cid:146)s
recommended threshold is 0,1 nanogram per cubic metre.

C 225 E/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

It cannot be claimed at present that all Member State governments are rushing to implement the Seveso
directive: many waste incinerators are still emitting over the Union(cid:146)s recommended threshold.

The Commission has said that it intends to adopt, by the end of the year, a new directive on the criteria
for all types of incinerator, which will lay down extremely rigorous conditions for emission thresholds for
key pollutants. The threat to public health represented by excessive dioxin and furan emissions has,
moreover, been the subject of numerous WHO warnings.

Does the Commission intend to approach the governments concerned to urge them to ensure compliance,
throughout their territory, with the EU recommendations on dioxin and furan emissions from solid waste
incinerators, and to press, accordingly, for the Seveso provisions to be implemented without further delay?

What mechanisms or aids has the Commission instituted to ensure that incinerators operating within the
Community observe the emission thresholds recommended by the EU?

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

(19 January 2000)

There are currently three pieces of legislation aimed at limiting emissions from incineration plants. Council
Directive 94/67/EC of 16 December 1994 (1) covers the incineration of most hazardous waste and Council
Directives 89/369/EEC of 8 June 1989 on the prevention of air pollution from new municipal waste
incineration plants (2) and 89/429/EEC of 21 June 1989 on the reduction of air pollution from existing
municipal waste-incineration plant (3) cover the incineration of municipal waste. In future, all three pieces
of legislation will be repealed and replaced by a single directive, which sets an emission limit value for
dioxins of 0,1 nanogram toxicity equivalents per cubic meter. Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December
1996 on the control of major-accident hazards including dangerous substances (4), the so-called Seveso
Directive, seeks in principle to reduce the possibility of major accidents in industrial installations and does
not provide for emission limits.

The Council adopted a common position on the proposal for a directive on incineration on 25 November
1999. The final adoption is expected for autumn 2000. The proposed emission limit value for dioxin will
become applicable to existing plants five years after the adoption of the directive, that is to say probably in
autumn 2005.

After the transition period has expired, the Commission will apply all means foreseen in the EC Treaty to
enforce the implementation and correct application of the directive.

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.
(2) OJ L 163, 14.6.1989.
(3) OJ L 203, 15.7.1989.
(4) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997.

(2000/C 225 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2477/99

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: LIFE project

The LIFE Natura programme has given funds to the project to clean up Lake Alserio in the province of
Como.