WRITTEN QUESTION E-2700/99 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE), Torben Lund (PSE) and Cristina García-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC.
Date: 2000-01-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: directive (EU), drafting of EU law, packaging product, waste, waste recycling

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/41

3. What scientific studies have been carried out on the health effects of waste to energy incinerators on

communities in the EU?

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

(4 February 2000)

There are no specific standards for the distance of a landfill site to housing. However, Annex I to Council
Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste (1) provides that the location of a landfill
must take into consideration requirements relating to the distance from the boundary of the site to
residential areas.

The approach taken in regulating the co-existence of industry and housing is twofold. On the one hand,
Community legislation provides for requirements to limit the impact regardless of the location; and on the
other hand it sets quality standards for ambient air or water. There is no specific legislation which
regulates the distance between industrial installations and housing areas.

Most studies concerning health effects have been carried out on the basis of specific pollutants rather than
specific industrial sources, since the chemistry of pollutants is independent of the source. However, several
preparatory studies were carried out to evaluate the costs and benefits of the current proposal for a
directive on waste incineration (2). In particular the study (cid:145)Economic evaluation of the draft incineration
directive(cid:146) (3) gives a good overview of the impact of municipal waste incineration.

Though it has financed a number of projects relating to the health effects of air pollution in general, the
Commission has not financed any studies on the specific effects of waste incinerators on human health.
However, the work programme of the (cid:145)Environment and health(cid:146) key action of the (cid:145)Quality of life and
management of living resources(cid:146) thematic programme (4) of the 5th framework programme of research and
technological development (RTD) is open for proposals on that subject.

(1) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.
(2) OJ C 372, 2.12.1998.
(3)
(4) OJ L 64, 12.3.1999.

ISBN 92-828-0083-0, European Communities 1997.

(2000/C 330 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2700/99

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE), Torben Lund (PSE)
and Cristina Garc(cid:237)a-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC

Article 6(3)(b) of Directive 94/62/EC (1), adopted in 1994 after lengthy negotiations, reads:

No later than six months before the end of the five-year phase referred to in paragraph 1(a) the
Council shall, acting by qualified majority and on a proposal from the Commission, fix targets for the
second five-year phase referred to in paragraph 1(c). This process shall be repeated every five years
thereafter.

Article 6(1)(c) reads:

No later than 10 years from the date by which this Directive must be implemented in national law, a
percentage of packaging waste will be recovered and recycled, which will have to be determined by
the Council in accordance with paragraph 3(b) with a view to substantially increasing the targets
mentioned in paragraph (a) and (b).

C 330 E/42

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

Given this clear legal commitment by the Council and the EP to increase substantially the targets in a
proposal to be published by the end of 1999 or early 2000, when will the Commission present its
proposal for a revision of the Directive to the EP and the Council?

With more specific respect to the targets, will the Commission include a common objective for recycling
and reuse?

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10.

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

(16 March 2000)

The obligation to revise substantially the recovery and recycling targets is provided in Article 6.3(b) and
Article 6.1(c) of Directive 94/62/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 20 December 1994 on packaging
and packaging waste. The compromise reached by the Parliament and the Council, after lengthy
discussions in the conciliation committee, consisted of a first range of quantified targets for recovery and
recycling, to be achieved by mid-2001 and a commitment by the Community legislator to significantly
increase these targets in a second phase to be concluded by mid-2006.

Many people and organisations are involved in the packaging chain including economic operators,
consumers, environmental organisations and authorities. They have a wide variety of different interests.
This makes it necessary to set up a framework for dialogue in order to ensure a balanced approach. This
process is enabling the Commission to evaluate the situation correctly and to develop possible solutions to
make the Directive more effective. Several options have been presented to and discussed with interested
parties and the Member States, but the measures to be finally proposed by the Commission are still under
consideration internally.

The revision process is taking more time than initially foreseen. However the Commission intends to
present a formal proposal for the revision of the Directive to the Council and the Parliament, in order to
for them to adopt the measures in due time.

(2000/C 330 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2705/99

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Fisheries (cid:129) Reallocation of FIFG

If a Member State does not use its entire allocation of FIFG funds, can the Commission confirm whether
than Member State has the discretion to reallocate the funds under a different programme in sectors other
than fisheries? If so, can the Commission provide examples of where this practice has been followed?

(2000/C 330 E/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2706/99

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Fisheries (cid:129) FIFG and the UK

Could the Commission provide statistics as to the availability of funds under the FIFG for the United
Kingdom in 1998 and 1999 and the extent of their utilisation, specifying in particular any (cid:145)unused(cid:146)
amounts?