WRITTEN QUESTION E-1341/00 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Closed areas for bottom trawling in the Cantabrian Sea.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cantabria, common fisheries policy, conservation of fish stocks, fishing season

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/47

(2001/C 72 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1341/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Closed areas for bottom trawling in the Cantabrian Sea

(4 May 2000)

Fishermen(cid:146)s associations in Cantabria are concerned at the lack of information on closed areas for bottom
trawling. They take the view that closed areas need to be introduced immediately since, according to
scientific reports drawn up by the Spanish Institute for Oceanography, failure to adopt measures to protect
areas with a high concentration of juveniles could lead to the collapse of the hake stock. The Spanish
Secretariat-General for Sea Fishing requested the mandatory Commission report in December 1999.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s standpoint on the review of specific closed areas for bottom trawling in the
north-east Cantabrian?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2000)

The Commission is fully aware of the problem raised by the Honourable Member.

The Commission(cid:146)s scientific, technical and economic committee has reviewed and endorsed the scientific
position, and the Spanish authorities have contacted the Commission on this issue.

The Commission is currently in the process of preparing a proposal for an amendment to Council
Regulation (EC) No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical
measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (1) within which the topic raised by the
Honourable Member will be included.
It is hoped that the Commission(cid:146)s proposal will be available
before August of this year.

(1) OJ L 125, 27.4.1998.

(2001/C 72 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1351/00

by Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Report on radioactive pollution of mineral water by radium 226

According to various reports in the media, there is at present considerable uncertainty amongst the public
in Germany concerning high doses of radiation, which are allegedly a health risk, in mineral and table
water sold under various brand names because of a high natural occurrence of the isotope radium 226.

Is the Commission aware of, or has it carried out, any scientific studies to determine and endeavour
1.
to assess the concentration of radioactive substances in food, and in particular to reveal a connection
between radiation and an increased risk of cancer?

2.
Is the Commission aware that, in contrast to other EU Member States, Germany has no directives or
limit values for the concentration of radium 226 in mineral and table water? If so, does the Commission
think there is a need to take action in this respect at European level?

3.
Is the Commission aware that there are technical means of reducing the content of natural radium
226 in water (filters), but that these may not be used in Germany because of the (cid:145)Mineral and table water
regulation(cid:146)? Does the Commission see the need to work towards European rules for the technical processes
involved in extracting and producing mineral water?

4. Would the Commission consider extending the food labelling requirement to include radioactive
isotopes?