WRITTEN QUESTION E-0445/00 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission. Air quality institute.
Date: 2000-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, air quality

C 53 E/4

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

the expansion of Caulerpa taxifolia. These projects aimed to raise the awareness of public bodies, private
interested parties and the general public, to map the areas covered by the algae, to carry out experiments
on means of controlling this expansion and to design a possible strategy of control or containment.

The project results confirmed that the spread of Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean Basin constitutes a
potential threat for biodiversity, mainly at the cost of other algae or at cost of marine plants (e.g. posidonia
oceanica, cymodocea nodosa), and for some human activities,
in widely affected areas. Moreover such
studies have mapped the areas covered by Caulerpa taxifolia, at least those known at present, and
monitored the rate of expansion of such colonisation. There is some scientific evidence of effects on fish
but mainly not on species targeted by commercial fisheries.

With regard to a possible impact on artisanal fisheries, at present no scientific documentation reports
negative effects on fisheries.

Fishermen can play an important role in preventing dissemination and slowing down the spread of the
algae, by inspecting their anchors and fishing gear and not throwing the fragments of the seaweed back
into the sea.

Concerning the issue of compensation measures for fishermen operating on fishing grounds affected by
this algae, the Commission is of the opinion that the problem of caulerpa taxifolia does not meet the
criteria for compensation measures envisaged within Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the
detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1).

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2001/C 53 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0445/00

by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Air quality institute

The Health Effects Institute (HEI) has been set up in the USA to assess problems relating in particular to air
quality and their possible implications for human health. Half its funding comes from the US Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) and half from industry. HEI analyses offer an excellent an independent
basis for decision-making.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s assessment of the work of the Health Effects Institute in the USA?

Is the Commission contemplating the establishment of a similar institute in Europe? Has any action been
taken to that effect?

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

(7 April 2000)

The Commission is aware of the work of the Health effects institute. Research and other work organised
by the Institute has been an important input to the United States-Environment protection agency (EPA(cid:146)s)
recent analyses of the risks of air pollution to human health. This outcome of the Institute has also been
taken into account by the World health organisation and by Member States in similar work in Europe.

The Commission is presently developing plans for a new integrated clean air programme. It intends to
make a first report concerning the programme in 2004, covering risks to health and the environment, and
any further action that should be taken to reduce them. The Commission has engaged consultants to
provide advice on aspects of programme organisation. It will consider a range of options,
including
options for how best to obtain information on health effects, in the light of the results later this year.