WRITTEN QUESTION E-0042/00 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Harmonisation of bans on night flights.
Date: 2000-01-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, air traffic, air transport, approximation of laws, night work, noise pollution, transport regulations

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?

21.11.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/73

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2000)

The information currently available to the Commission indicates that there is a total ban on night flights at
Paris Orly, and a ban on night flights with an exemption for postal cargo flights at Munich and Berlin
Tegel. There is a limitation on the number of movements during the night at Munich (outside curfew
hours), London Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted, Manchester, and Stockholm. In addition, noisy aircraft are
banned during the night at a significant number of airports including Frankfurt, D(cid:252)sseldorf, London
Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted, Manchester, Madrid-Barajas, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam.

In its recently adopted communication on air transport and environment (cid:129) Towards meeting the
challenges of sustainable development (1) the Commission launched a debate on the appropriateness of
establishing a Community framework for decision-making procedures in the field of environmental
operating restrictions at Community airports.

As set out in this communication, the Commission is not convinced that uniform and binding rules on
operating restrictions, such as a ban on night flights, applicable at all Community airports would provide
the best-balanced solution for the noise problems at a particular airport. Such decisions should continue to
be taken at local
level. However, the Commission is of the opinion that there should be a common
framework for the procedures leading to these decisions. Such a framework could include obligatory
consultation of all concerned including people living around airports, sufficient time for operators to adapt
to new restrictions, and a common basis for assessing the environmental effectiveness of the operational
restrictions.

(1) COM(1999) 640 final.

(2000/C 330 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0065/00

by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Milan airport system: Malpensa (cid:129) Linate (cid:129) Orio al Serio

The European Community has included the Milan airport system in its list of category 1 airports and has
specified that the system comprises the airports of Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Bergamo Orio al Serio
(shown in the destinations table under the official name (cid:145)Milan-Orio International Airport(cid:146)).

Malpensa airport is one of the priority projects that have been established at European level and financed
by 500 billion lire in EIB assistance.

In addition, the development plan for the Milan airport system, which was approved at government level
and authorised by the Community some time ago, gave the airport of Bergamo Orio al Serio a prominent
role as the east Lombardy pole, and significant sums have been invested in it (100 billion lire by the
operating company alone over the last three years).

The ban on the transfer of flights from Linate to Malpensa, which was imposed a few hours before the
planned deadline of 15 December 1999, has made the future of the air traffic system in northern Italy
totally uncertain, with consequences for the progress of operations for both European border links and the
development of connections with the Mediterranean area.

In the light of the above, what measures does the Community intend to take to ensure that
the
programmes that have been set up are adhered to and to avoid a loss of efficiency and competitiveness
in the airport system caused by unsustainable competition between the airports of Malpensa, Linate and
Bergamo Orio al Serio, in breach of the rules set for operating limits on the airport of Linate, which is
only supposed to remain open for the Milan (cid:129) Rome Fiumicino shuttle service?