WRITTEN QUESTION E-3462/00 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. High tension power line on Mount Riaño (Castille and Leon, Spain).
Date: 2000-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Castile-Leon, application of EU law, electricity supply, environmental impact, environmental protection

C 151 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

Community measures based on Article 175 of the Treaty, the intended measures need to be notified
according to the provisions of Directive 98/34 of 22 June 1998 insofar as they constitute technical
regulations within the meaning of this Directive.

(1) Directive 91/157/EEC on batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances as amended by the

following:
Directive 98/101/EC banning mercury in batteries;
Directive 82/176/EEC on limit values and objectives for mercury discharges by the chlor-alkali electrolysis industry
Directive 89/677/EEC amending for the 8th time Directive 76/769 on the approximation of the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations;
Directive 2000/53/EC on end of life vehicles, as well as Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.

(2001/C 151 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3461/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 November 2000)

Subject: Communication on children

Further to announcements made by Commissioner Vitorino nearly one year ago regarding a possible
(cid:145)Communication on Children(cid:146), will the Commission state whether it intends to publish such a document?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

The Honourable Member is referring to the remark made by the Member of the Commission responsible
for Justice and Home Affairs during the parliamentary debate which took place in November 1999 to
celebrate the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As expressed
in the minutes of the debate, the Member said, in the opening session, that (cid:145)the Commission will give
consideration to the idea of publishing a communication on children (cid:133)(cid:146). He concluded: (cid:145)With regard to
sectoral policies, I still hold with the suggestion of a communication on this subject by the Commission
which must, by definition, be horizontal(cid:146).

The Commission is of the view that these statements do not lead to the conclusion that the Commission
has committed itself to publishing a communication on children(cid:146)s rights.

It is also worth mentioning that competence for action concerning children still remains largely with the
Member States, given the lack of an explicit legal base in the EC Treaty for the Community to safeguard
children(cid:146)s rights in terms that go beyond the existing framework.

(2001/C 151 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3462/00

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 November 2000)

Subject: High tension power line on Mount Riaæo (Castille and Leon, Spain)

The high tension power line planned for Mount Riaæo, in the (cid:145)Picos de Europa(cid:146) regional park, may clash
with various nature protection provisions covering regional parks, special conservation areas (Natura 2000
Network), special bird protection zones (Directive 79/409/EEC) and the brown bear recovery plan area.

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/177

Is the Commission aware of the high tension line scheme?

What can it do to ensure that Directives 92/43/EEC (1), 79/409/EEC (2) and 85/337/EEC (3) are properly
implemented in this connection?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

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

(5 December 2000)

The Commission is aware of the scheme the Honourable Member describes. A recent complaint on the
matter has been registered and is being looked at.

As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will take the necessary measures to ensure that Directives 79/
409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds, 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild
fauna and flora and 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on
the environment, as amended by Directive 97/11/EC, (1) are complied with in this instance.

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2001/C 151 E/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3463/00

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 November 2000)

Subject: High concentration of metals in the Guadalquivir (Andalusia, Spain)

Two years on from the Aznalcollar mine toxic spill, a report drawn up by the Central University of
Barcelona and published by (cid:145)Ecologistas en Acci(cid:243)n(cid:146) reveals that there are high concentrations of metals in
the river Guadalquivir, and that the levels in the surrounding area are far in excess of the limits allowed
under Community legislation.

Is the Commission aware of these findings?

Does it not believe that the situation means that the Spanish authorities need to adopt emergency
measures to protect public health, maintain the estuary(cid:146)s ecosystem and safeguard the future development
of the area(cid:146)s economic and tourist potential?

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

(15 December 2000)

The Commission has no knowledge of the Central University of Barcelona(cid:146)s report on metal concentrations
in the Guadalquivir River in Andalusia mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission is willing to take a look at this report in order to see whether the relevant Community
legislation is being fully complied with.

The Commission is aware of the measures undertaken by the Spanish authorities to contain and repair the
damage caused by the accident at the Aznalcollar mine in order to safeguard the Doæana national park.