WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/00 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Environmental health failures in Frankfurt (former US housing).
Date: 2000-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Germany, Hesse, access to information, air quality, environmental impact, health risk, scientific discovery, substandard housing

C 26 E/54

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.1.2001

the impact on ACP countries and other cocoa producers and this can only be done once the directive is
implemented. In case an estimation of the impact were necessary in the future, the common position
foresees a study after 36 months of application of the directive.

As far as the compensatory measures are concerned, the Post LomØ Agreement introduces a special
mechanism designed to offer support to countries vulnerable to fluctuations from export earnings,
in
particular earnings from the agricultural and mining sector.

If a country is heavily dependent on the cocoa sector it may, subject to a number of criteria concerning
the importance of the export losses and the country(cid:146)s public finances, benefit from the support system. The
ACP country concerned may decide to target this additional support, when allocated, to compensate cocoa
farmers or help them to diversify their crops.

(1) OJ C 231, 9.8.1996.
(2) OJ C 10, 13.1.2000.

(2001/C 26 E/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Environmental health failures in Frankfurt (former US housing)

The new occupants of what was formerly US housing face a health risk, as very large amounts of adhesive
containing tar, with potential carcinogenic effects, were used in the past in the housing in question
(e.g. up to 80 % in the case of parquet flooring), as were toxic PCBs and pesticides (e.g. DDT).

Is the Commission aware that the authorities concerned have failed to observe the right to the

1.
provision of environmental information?

Does the Commission agree that it is a serious failing that the risk assessment does not take proper

2.
account of small children (under six years of age) as one of the main groups affected?

Does the Commission agree that the authorities have the greatest duty of care, and must act in as

3.
transparent a manner as possible, vis-(cid:224)-vis those concerned?

Does the Commission agree that,

4.
pollution?

in future, greater importance needs to be attached to indoor

Does the Commission agree that, pursuant to Article 17 of the environmental information directive,
5.
it should not be possible for public authorities to withhold, by claiming a derogation, information the
disclosure of which could avert a significant threat to health?

Does the Commission agree that the latest scientific findings should be taken into consideration in

6.
risk assessments?

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

(14 April 2000)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern that there must be transparency for European
citizens, especially with regard to environmental and health problems.

Article 3 of Council Directive 90/313/EEC of 7 June 1990 on the freedom of access to information on the
environment (1) stipulates that public authorities are required to make available information relating to the
environment to any natural or legal person at his request and without his having to prove an interest. Any

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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refusal to provide information must be explained and must be based on one of the exceptions listed in the
Directive. Under the terms of the Directive, public authorities are also required to provide general
information to the public on the state of the environment by such means as the periodic publication of
descriptive reports.

In addition, any opinion must, to be relevant, be based on the best scientific knowledge available. To this
end, the Commission backs many action programmes.

With regard to indoor pollution, the Commission, through the programme of Community action on
pollution-related diseases (2), is supporting three projects which will improve our knowledge of how this
type of pollution affects public health and so help deal with the risks affecting individuals.

(1) OJ L 158, 23.6.1990.
(2) OJ L 155, 22.6.1999.

(2001/C 26 E/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0520/00

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

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Environmentally-damaging agricultural practices in the Almenara marshlands (area protected under

the LIFE programme)

The Almenara marshland area is being steadily drained by means of water extraction pumps and this is
having a serious effect on the level of the water table. It is now over ten years since the last occurrence of
the traditional winter flooding which is so beneficial to crops such as rice which are adapted to that kind
of environment. The reason why these wetlands are drying out is that the cultivation of citrus fruit by
agricultural companies which receive funding from the EAGGF and which pursue their activities with the
consent of the Valencian authorities is becoming increasingly widespread.

The area under greatest threat (cid:129) which covers the districts of Almenara, Benavites, Quartell, Sagunt,
La Llosa and Xilxes (cid:129) has been included by the Spanish authorities in the Nature 2000 Network since it is
regarded as being representative of a number of habitats, some of which are home to certain species which
have been allocated priority status in the Annexes to the Directive on habitats. In addition to its significant
environmental and landscape value the Almenara marshland area provides ideal conditions for native
plants and for many endemic species of fauna.

Local environmental associations, in particular Acc(cid:237)o Ecologista Agr(cid:243), have repeatedly complained about
these environmentally-damaging agricultural practices to the appropriate authorities but this has not so far
led to any cutback in the operations of the extraction pumps which are damaging marshlands protected
under the LIFE programme.

In view of the fact that the EAGGF regulation establishes a framework for the application of Community
aid to underpin sustainable rural development, has the Commission considered opening an enquiry
(including the dispatch of a delegation to Almenara if this is deemed necessary) into the damage done to
the Almenara wetlands as a result of agricultural activities financed by the EAGGF? Does the Commission
not think that EAGGF funds and other possible forms of aid should be used to increase agricultural
employment in activities which will not damage the area in question, which is protected under the LIFE
programme?

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

(13 April 2000)

The (cid:145)Marjal de Almenara(cid:146) site in Valencia has been proposed by Spain as a Site of Community Importance
for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1). The Commission is currently supporting
this site as part of a LIFE-nature project.