WRITTEN QUESTION E-0956/01 by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Commission. Coastal erosion.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, EU financing, EU research policy, coastal protection, environmental impact, environmental research, erosion, greenhouse effect, town and country planning

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/131

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

(13 June 2001)

The possible risks to health and to the environment of Bisphenol A are being evaluated in the framework
of Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risks of
existing substances (1).

Bisphenol A is used in the production of polycarbonates and epoxy resins, which have a number of
applications in consumer goods, such as food and beverage containers, which have epoxy resin internal
coatings, and polycarbonate tableware and bottles, such a those used for infant formula milk. Another
source of consumer exposure arises from its use in dental fissure sealants.

The risk assessment has identified health concerns (eye and respiratory tract irritation, skin sensitisation,
effects on the liver and fertility)
in certain occupational exposure scenarios, and also concerns for
environmental damage in relation to specified uses. No concerns have been identified for consumer
exposures in relation to any of the above-mentioned effects. Discussions in relation to developmental
toxicity, and the significance of the findings in mice at very low dose levels are still ongoing.

The results of the risk evaluations will be summarised in a Commission Recommendation published in the
Official Journal. Where unacceptable risks are identified, the Commission will consider risk reduction
measures, as appropriate, in those areas where concerns have been indicated. In this context, issues related
to substitution will also be taken into account.

(1) OJ L 224, 3.9.1993.

(2001/C 340 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0956/01

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Coastal erosion

Coastal areas are of great economic, environmental, social and cultural significance in Europe, given their
importance in an extremely wide range of policy areas, including fisheries, transport, energy, resources
management, the protection of wildlife and habitats, employment, regional development, tourism, industry,
waste management and education. Nonetheless, and despite the urgency of the matter, very little is being
done to find solutions to the problem of coastal erosion, which is largely being ignored.

This irreversible process, which is going on in almost all the EU Member States, is the result of global
warming. Italy, which has almost 8 000 kilometres of coastline, is extremely conscious of the need to
contain this natural process. However, although it is endeavouring to take action at local and regional
level, on its own it can do very little to tackle a problem requiring action at European level which is
compatible with the environmental policies of the other countries and includes cross-border cooperation in
coastal areas.

The damage caused by melting icecaps and rising sea levels is difficult to quantify and solutions are hard to
find and often turn out to be merely stopgap measures which, were they to be upgraded to a formal
strategy at Member State level, would prove too costly.

However, the provision of funding for pilot projects would encourage experts and researchers to study the
problem more closely and would provide many young graduates and research centres with an opportunity
to work on practical projects. Such research could lead to the formulation of viable solutions, and relevant
findings and proposals could be made available to all the Member States.

C 340 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

Given the above, would the Commission state:

(cid:129) how aware it is of the problem of coastal erosion;

(cid:129) if any steps are being taken to respond to the needs of the Member States in this area;

(cid:129) if it has made provision for relevant programmes and funding;

(cid:129) if it intends to allocate funding to pilot projects, and how long it will take for usable findings to be

produced?

It must also be pointed out that, since (cid:145)repair work(cid:146) does not yield satisfactory results and does not enable
the process to be held in check, the damage caused by coastal erosion will continue to increase.

With a view to a longer-term strategy, what steps will be taken at Community level to meet the needs of
the Member States that are having to cope with this problem on a daily basis?

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

(14 June 2001)

On 27 September 2000, the Commission adopted a Communication to the Council and the Parliament on
Integrated Coastal Zone Management: A Strategy for Europe (1). This document is based on the results of
a three-year demonstration programme, which analysed the problems of the coastal zones and evaluated
potential tools for addressing these problems.

The above Communication cites coastal zone erosion as one of the problems commonly faced in the
coastal zone. Furthermore,
increased problems of coastal erosion and flooding are cited in various
Commission documents and Commission funded studies related to the potential impacts of increased levels
of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Commission is therefore well aware of the issue of coastal
zone erosion.

The Commission has a number of programmes that may be used to finance projects intended to develop
understanding of the mechanisms of coastal erosion, or to develop innovative measures to manage or
reduce the impacts of such erosion. An entire section of the Environment and Sustainable Development
research programme in the Community(cid:146)s Fifth research and technological development (RTD) framework
programme deals with (cid:145)Coastal protection against flooding and erosion(cid:146), and € 7,5 million have been spent
recently on RTD projects in this field. Moreover, research in this field has been supported within the
Community(cid:146)s RTD framework programmes since 1989.

In addition to the possibility of research funding under the Community(cid:146)s RTD framework programmes,
integrated planning and
innovative projects intended to address coastal erosion in the context of
management of the coastal zone may be presented to the LIFE programme. The Commission(cid:146)s Strategy on
Integrated Coastal Zone Management also aims to stimulate the development and diffusion of (cid:145)best
practice(cid:146) in coastal zone management through creation of a coastal zone practitioners(cid:146) network.

The Commission has also proposed a Parliament and Council Recommendation to the Member States on
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (2), calling on the Member States to develop national strategies for
Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

Furthermore, the Community is working to reduce the probable magnitude of climate change through its
actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to promote the ratification and application of the Kyoto
Protocol.

However, the Commission would like to stress that, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle, the
responsibility for the routine management and mitigation of coastal erosion damage lies with the Member
States. Specific action will be needed at the local level to introduce appropriate measures; these measures
will need to be based on assessments of the technical possibilities and the economic costs and benefits of
possible responses (including managed retreat) on a case by case basis. Some measures might be
incorporated into Structural Funds programmes, in eligible areas.

4.12.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/133

The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP), adopted on 10/11 May 1999 at the close of the
Informal Council of Community Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning, serves as a policy framework
for the Member States, their regions and local authorities and the Commission in their aim of achieving
a balanced and sustainable development of the European territory.

Several policy options of the ESDP explicitly mention the common problems of coastal areas. The ESDP
supports effective methods of
reducing uncontrolled urban expansion and reduction of excessive
settlement pressure, particularly in coastal regions, and encourages the preparation of integrated spatial
development strategies for protected areas, such as coastal areas, balancing protection and development on
the basis of territorial and environmental impact assessments and involving the partners concerned.

To take concrete steps in applying the ESDP and to improve knowledge, research and information on
territorial development, the Commission will co-finance through the Community Initiative Interreg III the
setting up of a European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON) for the period 2001-2006
(€ 6 million over the period 2001-2006).

The ESPON Guidelines for the period 2001-2006 include research on the evaluation of trends affecting
certain groups of territories (cid:145)at risk(cid:146), such as coastal areas, and the territorial management of climate
changes (impact of measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases; anticipation of territorial impacts of
climate changes) among the topics to be developed.

(1) COM(2000) 547 final.
(2) COM(2000) 545 final.

(2001/C 340 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0957/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Decision on setting up an Enterprise Policy Group (EPG)

(30 March 2001)

Article 257 of the EC Treaty provides for the creation of an Economic and Social Committee (ESC) which
has been advising the Commission since 1957. Nevertheless, on 8 November 2000 the Commission
adopted a decision to set up an advisory committee, called the (cid:145)Enterprise Policy Group(cid:146), whose task is to
advise the Commission on business policy. In some cases experts will receive a fixed allowance of up to
€ 500 a day for their advice.

Can the Commission explain why this Group(cid:146)s tasks cannot be performed by the ESC? By setting up
a separate (cid:145)Enterprise Policy Group(cid:146) is the Commission expressing doubts as to the added value of the
advice of the ESC? How can the Commission justify incurring costs for obtaining advice which is available
elsewhere free of charge? Did members of the ESC respond to the invitation, and have they been included
in the (cid:145)Enterprise Policy Group(cid:146)?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2001)

The Economic and Social Committee is a consultative body of the European Community made up of
representatives of the various economic and social groups. Its membership must take account of the need
to ensure adequate representation for those groups. The EC Treaty lays down the instances in which the
Committee must be consulted, and the Commission recognises and fully respects its powers. In particular,
the Committee gives its opinion on the legislative proposals made by the Commission in the cases laid
down by the Treaty. However, before this happens, the Commission must draft its proposals and in this it
has the power of initiative. In order to ensure that its initiatives are consistent, coherent, realistic and
applicable, the Commission surrounds itself with the technical expertise it considers necessary. For this,
a specific structure for consultation is required, and it is within this structure that the Enterprise Policy
Group to which the Honourable Member refers was set up by Commission Decision 2000/690/EC of
8 November 2000 (1), with the task of advising the Commission on enterprise policy issues.