WRITTEN QUESTION E-0520/00 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Environmentally-damaging agricultural practices in the Almenara marshlands (area protected under the LIFE programme).
Date: 2000-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community of Valencia, EAGGF, EU environmental policy, Spain, biotope, desertification, groundwater, infringement of EU law, sustainable agriculture

26.1.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 26 E/55

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.

C 26 E/56

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.1.2001

The Commission has written to the Spanish authorities requesting information on the specific situation at
the Marjal de Almenara site described by the Honourable Member and asking for their comments, in
particular as regards compliance with Community legislation in force.

inter alia,

It should be noted that the new rural development policy adopted in June 1999, to which the Honourable
Member refers, has become the second cornerstone of the common agricultural policy. The support given
to sustainable rural development by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support
for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and
amending and repealing certain Regulations (2), relating to agricultural activities and their reconversion,
the preservation and promotion of a high nature value and a sustainable
may concern,
agriculture respecting environmental requirements. Member States may include in their rural development
programmes and Objective 1 operational programmes the establishment of the Natura 2000 network and
the preservation of areas in the network. Compensatory payments can be made by the EAGGF for the
maintenance of agricultural activity in these areas where farmers may lose income because of specific
requirements deriving from the application of Community legislation, as would be the case in the area in
question. Under the same Regulation investments with environmental protection objectives could also be
cofinanced.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 26 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0521/00

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Rules on the manufacture of lint to be used for medicinal purposes

Under Directive 93/42/EEC (1) on medical devices, all medical devices marketed within the EU must carry
the CE mark, which guarantees that the device meets the requirements laid down in the directive. On
account of those requirements, European companies have had to make substantial investment and they
have to bear the additional cost of quality management.

On the other hand, products made in China arrive at Community hospitals carrying the CE mark but they
are not required to meet the standards demanded of Community companies. They do not therefore
provide the medical guarantees offered by the CE mark and their manufacturers have not had to make the
huge investment required of EU producers.

Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs? If so, what action does it intend to take in response to it?

(1) OJ L 169, 12.7.1993, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2000)

The Commission would like to stress that medical devices put on the market and into service in the
Community and the European economic area (EEA), are submitted to the same rules and requirements
regardless whether they are manufactured in the Community or EEA or imported from third countries.

Therefore the manufacturer or authorised representative, whenever the manufacturer does not have a
registered place of business in a Member State, has to fulfil the provisions as laid down in Directive 93/42/
EEC, and to ensure and declare their conformity. Then it can CE mark the devices.

On the other hand, it is up to Member States(cid:146) authorities to ensure that the manufacturer duly fulfils its
obligations.