WRITTEN QUESTION P-3310/00 by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Illegal building works.
Date: 2000-10-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Apulia, countryside conservation, operational programme, public building

C 103 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

of establishment and the freedom to provide services. In the case of the right of establishment, which is
likely to concern producers of potable spirits more than the provision of services, while the Member States
that govern the pursuit of the profession cannot refuse access to professionals who satisfy the conditions
of professional experience indicated in Directive 1999/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 7 June 1999 establishing a mechanism for the recognition of qualifications in respect of the
professional activities covered by the Directives on liberalisation and transitional measures and supple-
menting the general systems for the recognition of qualifications (1), such professionals are nonetheless
required to comply with the other requirements and formalities laid down by law in the host Member
State, such as entry in a professional register or the acquisition of a professional permit, provided that
these requirements are also imposed on nationals of the host Member State and that they comply with the
principle of proportionality laid down in the EC Treaty.

Since authority in this instance lies with the Member States, there are no plans to draw up a set of
Community rules to govern the pursuit of this profession.

(1) OJ L 201, 31.7.1999.

(2001/C 103 E/285)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3310/00

by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Illegal building works

The municipality of Villa Castelli (Brindisi, Italy) includes a (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) (natural canal that is a characteristic
feature of the Apulian countryside), which is of outstanding natural beauty.

The whole area, including the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146), is subject to environmental restrictions under the decree issued on
18 September 1996 by the Ministry for Environmental and Cultural Assets (within the meaning of the
(cid:145)Galasso Law(cid:146)).

Law No 56/1980 enacted by the Apulia Region prohibits any building within 200 metres of a (cid:145)gravina(cid:146).

In document 3347 of 14 May 1996, the Apulia Region (Environmental Directorate (cid:129) Ecology section (cid:129)
Office for nature reserves and parks) stated that siting a new building with a surface area of 490 m2 within
the natural environment of the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) would have an immeasurable negative impact on the landscape,
countryside, soil and surface water.

The municipality of Villa Castelli, using MOP Community funding (measures 7.3.9 and 7.3.10), has started
building work on a 693 m2 multipurpose centre within the area of the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) in violation of environ-
mental regulations laid down by national and regional law.

Is it admissible to take advantage of MOP funding to carry out building works in violation of laws enacted
to safeguard the countryside and natural heritage?

What action does the Commission intend to take once the facts have been verified through an on-the-spot
inspection by its officials?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.