WRITTEN QUESTION E-0825/01 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Pollution of the Cares and Deva rivers in the Picos de Europa.
Date: 2001-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: complaint to the Commission, infringement of EU law, nature reserve, pollution of waterways, regions of Spain

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/203

When the news from Afghanistan concerning the edict to destroy the statues first reached the outside
world, the Union immediately issued a declaration urging the Taliban leadership not to implement what it
called (cid:145)this deeply tragic decision, which would deprive the people of Afghanistan of its rich cultural
heritage(cid:146).

The Union(cid:146)s latest Common Position on Afghanistan of 22 January 2001 (1) states that the Union shall
urge all factions to respect and protect the cultural heritage of Afghanistan and shall encourage activities in
the field by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) and the Society
for the Preservation of Afghanistan(cid:146)s Cultural Heritage (SPACH).

The budget of the Community does not contain provision for the funding of measures destined to protect
the world cultural heritage. There are at present no plans by the Community to create a special fund to
buy cultural treasures threatened with destruction.

(1) OJ L 21, 23.1.2001.

(2001/C 261 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0825/01

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

(19 March 2001)

Subject: Pollution of the Cares and Deva rivers in the Picos de Europa

The Picos de Europa mountains, situated in the north of Spain in the regions of Asturias, Le(cid:243)n and
Cantabria, have been designated a national park by the Spanish authorities.

Beech, oak, yew, holly, ash and lime trees shelter a rich fauna, including 64 species of mammal and 146
kinds of birds, several of which are protected, including the capercaillie, golden eagle and goshawk. It is
the only national park to be home to bears, wolves and salmon, three of the species that are most
representative of the native wildlife.

Until recently, the rivers running through the national park were clean and clear. But over the last ten
years, untreated urban and agricultural waste has been threatening this purity. Discharges into the Deva
and Cares rivers and their tributaries may infringe Directives 78/659/EEC (1), 79/923/EEC (2), 91/271/
EEC (3) and 76/464/EEC (4) on water quality, the recently revised Directive 91/676/EEC on pollution by
nitrates and Directive 92/43/EEC (5) on habitats.

What steps does the Commission plan to take,
compliance with Community environmental legislation in this area?

in its capacity as guardian of the Treaties, to ensure

(1) OJ L 222, 14.8.1978, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 281, 10.11.1979, p. 47.
(3) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, p. 40.
(4) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.
(5) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

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

(24 April 2001)

The Commission is aware of the situation described by the Honourable Member.

A complaint received recently on the subject has been registered and is now being examined.

In its capacity as Guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will take the necessary steps to ensure that the
relevant Community legislation is complied with in this case.