WRITTEN QUESTION E-3301/00 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission. Light pollution.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air quality, lighting, pollution control measures

C 261 E/2

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

(2001/C 261 E/002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3301/00

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Light pollution

(cid:145)Light pollution(cid:146) is caused by stray light that escapes from residential and industrial developments, prevents
city dwellers from seeing the night sky and increases global warming. The use of lower powered bulbs and
shields to prevent this light from escaping would reduce CO2 emissions and give a better view of the stars.
Is the Commission planning to take any legislative measures to prevent light pollution?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2001)

The Commission has no plans at this time to take any legislative measures regarding light pollution.

(2001/C 261 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3637/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Making the standard of ship(cid:146)s inspections independent of free competition between classification

societies

1.
Can the Commission confirm that, together with the (cid:145)Erika(cid:146) which was lost early this year, the tanker
(cid:145)Ievoli Sun(cid:146) which was lost off Alderney and Cap de la Hague on 30 October had satisfied the inspection
requirements for seaworthiness and safety laid down by one of the recognised private firms operating
internationally, the Italian classification society Rina?

2. Which Member States have opposed the Commission(cid:146)s proposed measures for tightening up
inspections of ships and preventing fresh disasters?

Does the Commission share my fear that the competitive struggle which classification societies are
3.
obliged to engage in, in order to acquire or retain shipping companies as customers, always mean that
they will be tempted to adopt a flexible approach towards shortcomings and, as a result, ships are given
provisional clearance pending repairs to be carried out at a later date?

4.
Does the Commission intend to draw up supplementary measures to ensure that the standard of
ship(cid:146)s inspection can no longer be influenced by the fact that it is dependent on competition between
classification societies, but is based on the most stringent standards possible?

Is the Commission prepared to propose placing such inspections in the hands of bodies operating
5.
under the responsibility of the European Union or national authorities, so that ships which are not
approved by such bodies can be denied access to European ports?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2001)

It is regrettable that another tanker vessel has been lost in severe weather off the French coast. There are,
however, considerable differences between the two accidents: the ERIKA broke in two because of structural
failure, the Ievoli Sun(cid:146)s hull structure appears to have remained intact. The Commission is carefully
following the investigations carried out by the Flag State, Italy, and the French authorities into the possible
causes of the latest accident.