WRITTEN QUESTION E-0969/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Extraction and marketing of sand from the River Lima.
Date: 2000-03-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, European Regional Development Fund, Northern Portugal, Portugal, competence of the Member States, dredging, environmental impact, road building

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/97

Community legislation does not however, cover animal welfare where it relates to dog fighting. This issue
is, therefore, the responsibility of the Member State concerned.

The draft proposal for a Parliament and Council regulation laying down animal health conditions for the
movement of pet animals mentioned in the Commission(cid:146)s work programme for 2000 (1) aims to
harmonise the veterinary conditions concerning the movements of pet animals between Member States
with no commercial purpose. This proposal is not designed to address the problem of dog fighting.

(1) COM(2000) 155 final.

(2001/C 46 E/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0969/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Extraction and marketing of sand from the River Lima

(31 March 2000)

For years the industrial extraction of sand and gravel has been carried out on the right bank of the estuary
of the River Lima including cleaning and marketing operations, this has led to the growing salinity of the
water of the river, thereby threatening the quality of the water supply of Viana do Castelo.

The situation in the estuary may be further aggravated if moves go ahead to construct new links with the
port which would destroy the existing marshes and the biodiversity of the region.

It should be recalled that the River Lima estuary is one of the areas to be included in the NATURA 2000
Network, and is already recognised by the CORINE Programme(cid:146)s Biotopes project.

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. Have Community funds been granted for dredging operations in the Lima River and port works in

Viana do Castelo?

2. Has any project for the construction of new access routes to the port been submitted with a request

for funding?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Under the European Regional Development Fund, the Commission has part-financed a project to improve
access by sea (involving dredging) in the port of Viana do Castelo, preliminary studies for railway works, a
pre-project on road access and the relevant environmental impact study.

It is worth recalling that in the case of projects of a total volume under € 25 million responsibility rests
with the national authorities for implementation of the programme and checking that projects selected for
including
Community part-financing meet all
compliance with the current environmental rules. The Commission is able to check that all
these
conditions have been met through its participation in the monitoring committees for part-financed
programmes.

the necessary administrative and legal

requirements,

Regarding the potential impact of the above projects on the natural assets in the area (fauna, flora and
habitats), the relevant provisions are those in Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1), in particular Article 6, which requires a

C 46 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

proper evaluation of the impact as well as a study of alternatives if the area concerned is indeed part of a
site of Community importance proposed by Portugal
in 1997 as a contribution to the Natura 2000
network in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive.

A letter reminding the Portuguese authorities of these provisions has been sent.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 46 E/101)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Construction of an incinerator at Meia Serra

(31 March 2000)

Plans are afoot to construct an incinerator at Meia Serra in the parish of Camacha in the municipality of
Santa Cruz, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, as part of a project to develop and restructure the
Meia Serra solid urban waste treatment centre.

The chosen site is very close to a built-up area and is located in an area which contains agricultural land
and a number of springs; the project therefore poses an environmental and public health threat.

Will the Commission say:

1. Has any Community funding already been authorised for the construction of

the Meia Serra

incinerator on the island of Madeira?

2. Has it already taken steps to ensure that all the necessary measures will be taken to protect the

environment and the health of the local population?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2000)

By its decision of 22 November 1999, the Commission granted aid from the Cohesion Fund for the first
phase of the project concerning the (cid:145)Unidade de Valorizacªo de Res(cid:237)duos S(cid:243)lidos da Ilha da Madeira(cid:146)
(Madeira solid waste treatment centre).

This project includes the construction of an incinerator to replace the obsolete plant currently operating at
Meia Serra, which does not comply with Community environmental legislation.

The decision to grant this aid includes specific clauses to ensure full compliance with the environmental
standards associated with this type of infrastructure. The project in question was also the subject of an
environmental impact assessment.

(2001/C 46 E/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0971/00

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Subject: Extraction and marketing of sand from the Aveiro estuary

The Aveiro estuary has recently been designated a special protection zone to be included in the NATURA
2000 Network by Legal Decree 384-B/99 of 23 September. However the extraction and marketing of huge
quantities of sand from the estuary are continuing.