WRITTEN QUESTION E-0034/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. The effect of glyphosate on the environment and biodiversity.
Date: 2000-01-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: biodiversity, environmental impact, environmental risk prevention, health risk, marketing, plant health product, scientific report, standing committee (EU)

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/71

It is certainly regrettable that the Federation government issued a ban on the import of Irish beef products.
The Commission, however, has no means to rescind the order of a government it was committed to
supporting.

the Commission is not under an obligation to
According to the framework partnership agreement
reimburse the undistributed goulash. However, after careful consideration of the facts and the exceptional
circumstances under which the project was implemented, the Commission has accepted MSF-B invocation
of (cid:145)force majeure(cid:146) clause under the general conditions of the CCP (1) related to the contract. This acceptance
is seen only in the context of this individual situation and does not prejudge future situations of similar
kind.

(1) CCP: Article 5.3 in the General Conditions of the Contract Partnership agreement states (cid:145)The Partner shall have the
right to suspend or terminate, in writing, with immediate effect, the implementation of the operations for reasons
of force majeure. The amounts committed and spent by the Partner up until that time will be charged to the budget
of the operation(cid:146).

(2000/C 330 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0034/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(19 January 2000)

Subject: The effect of glyphosate on the environment and biodiversity

Will the Commission outline the research which has been carried out to date concerning the effects of the
chemical glyphosate on the environment and on biodiversity?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

Glyphosate is a plant protection product currently being evaluated in the framework of the first review
programme of existing active substances undertaken under Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 of
11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the
programme of work referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of
plant protection products on the market (1). The objective of the evaluation is to determine whether it can
be included in a positive list of active substances (Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 on the
placing of plant protection products on the market (2)) that can be used in plant protection products in the
Community. The Regulation provided that the notifiers should submit all the information required by the
Directive. This includes information on effects on the environment. The information had to be submitted
before 30 April 1995, to the rapporteur Member State (RMS) (for glyphosate, the RMS is Germany). Any
interested party could also submit by that date technical or scientific information with regard to the
potentially dangerous effects of the substance or its residues on human and animal health and on the
environment. The rapporteur Member State reviewed all
information submitted for glyphosate and
prepared a draft assessment report (monograph) on it. This was submitted on 1 February 1999 to the
Commission and the other Member States.

According to the usual procedures provided in the Regulation, the monograph was immediately forwarded
for an expert consultation (peer-review) with specialised experts from five Member States to examine in
detail all areas of human health and environmental safety. Data gaps were identified and new data was
requested, supplied and reviewed. The process also allowed that any other relevant new information be
taken into consideration or be considered during further discussions with all Member States in the
framework of the standing committee on plant health and its working groups. The monograph and the
results of the peer-review for glyphosate will be discussed by all Member States in the evaluation working
group of the standing committee on plant health. Depending on the outcome of the discussions the
Commission will submit a draft decision to the standing committee on plant health after consultation of
the scientific committee on plants.

C 330 E/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

Moreover, when a decision is taken, a review report with the most important information (overall
conclusion, particular use or risk management conditions, major endpoints on identity, physico-chemistry,
toxicology and environment) is made publicly available.

The Commission has also co-financed under the second and third framework programmes for research and
technical development (RTD) two projects dealing with glyphosate. In one project the interaction of humic
acids and glyphosate was examined in three field sites under long term monocultures (hops, vineyard,
citrus). Another project aimed to assess the soil and water quality as affected by glyphosate under three
different tillage systems. The results of these projects are available at the Research Directorate general.

(1) OJ L 366, 15.12.1992.
(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2000/C 330 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0035/00

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(19 January 2000)

Subject: Rearing of grouse and pheasants

Would the Commission inform me whether regulations governing the welfare of farmed animals also
apply to the rearing of grouse and pheasants when they are farmed for the purpose of being shot for
sport?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2000)

The minimum requirements concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes are provided
by Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 (1).

In Article 1 paragraph 2 of the above mentioned Directive it is stated that it shall not apply to (cid:145)((cid:133))
animals intended for use in competitions, shows, cultural or sporting events or activities(cid:146). Furthermore the
Directive does not apply to animals living in the wild.

In conclusion pheasants and grouse farmed for subsequent release into the wild for the purpose of the
sport or activity of shooting are not covered by the Directive.

(1) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.

(2000/C 330 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0042/00

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Harmonisation of bans on night flights

(19 January 2000)

The Belgian transport minister, Mrs Isabelle Durant, recently announced that, as from the middle of
1.
2003, night flights will no longer be permitted at Zaventem national airport between the hours of 1 and
5 a.m.

Could the Commission give an overview of the current situation regarding bans on commercial

2.
flights (both passenger and freight flights) at the main airports in the 15 EU Member States?

3. Would the Commission be willing to propose a directive with a view to harmonising bans on night
flights, in order to create a level playing field and to improve the situation with regard to the effects of
noise pollution at night and in the morning on the health of citizens?