WRITTEN QUESTION E-1847/00 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Noise pollution from aircraft.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, aircraft, noise

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/131

(2001/C 72 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1847/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Noise pollution from aircraft

Can the Commission state whether there are or should be common arrangements to cover noise pollution
from aircraft at EU airports, and to what extent these arrangements cover light aircraft?

Are there and should there be any requirements to ensure consultation with local communities that may
be affected?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2000)

As part of its environmental policy the Commission intends to present in the near future to the other
institutions a proposal for a framework directive on the assessment and reduction of environmental noise
exposure. This framework directive is intended to be applicable to major airports, i.e. airports with a
number of annual movements exceeding a certain threshold. Therefore, noise nuisance caused by light
aircraft would be covered insofar as such aircraft operate at major airports and their noise levels are
incorporated in the noise exposure assessment methods.

The Commission is of the opinion that the availability of neutral and transparent information about levels
of noise exposure to the public, as required in the draft framework directive, will facilitate the consultation
process for those who may be affected.

In addition, in its communication on air transport and environment (1) the Commission has stressed the
necessity to give due consideration to establishing enforceable rights for local communities to request
consultations and negotiations on the introduction of new operating rules at airports, as well as guarantees
that noise nuisance is actually reduced and not just shifted to other areas.
It intends to undertake
discussions with interested parties on the appropriateness of framework regulations at Community level
serving this purpose.

(1) COM(1999) 640 final.

(2001/C 72 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1851/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Reciprocity in health care

Can the Commission state what the legal basis is for Member States(cid:146) obligations to provide health care to
each other(cid:146)s nationals (whether residents or tourists) and whether the refusal by some states, such as
Belgium, to provide free health care to nationals of other states unless those nationals have contributed to
a local health scheme, even though its own nationals will be treated free of charge in some other Member
States, constitutes a form of discrimination or impediment to freedom of movement that could be
challenged in the European Court of Justice?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2000)

The Commission would point out that Community law does not affect the power of the Member States to
organise their social security systems and, in particular, their health care systems, as they wish.