WRITTEN QUESTION E-1182/01 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Construction of the El Pical wind farm.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, infringement of EU law, nature reserve, protected species, wind energy

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/191

Nevertheless, the situation as regards release for free circulation (using the so-called (cid:145)simplified procedures(cid:146))
is more complex, since it raises issues such as the customs debt, VAT, statistics and the sharing of
collection costs (the amount of money Member States are allowed to keep to cover their administration
expenses).

While there is a general legal basis for single authorizations in the Community Customs Code, practical
experience is needed. It has been agreed with the Member States that those which receive applications for
single authorizations, can (with the agreement of the other administrations concerned) grant them. For its
part, the Commission monitors progress and ensures a regular exchange of information within the
framework of the Customs Code Committee. These projects are termed (cid:145)pilot projects(cid:146) and it is in this
context that the project being operated by the United Kingdom is situated.

Unfortunately, progress on the pilot projects generally has been much slower than expected. Nevertheless,
those that are now operating do seem to be operating smoothly and the Commission is hopeful that in
future they will become more routine.

The Commission will continue to lend general support to the pilot projects and will continue to have
exchanges of information in the Customs Code Committee. In addition, this issue will be promoted in the
framework of a Customs-Trade seminar in Sweden planned for June 2001.

The Commission would be prepared to propose legislation within the limits of its powers should it prove
necessary either to overcome a legal problem, or else to ensure uniformity.

(2001/C 340 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1182/01

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

Subject: Construction of the El Pical wind farm

(19 April 2001)

The El Pical wind farm project which has been developed by Corporaci(cid:243)n E(cid:243)lica SA in the districts of
Barruelo de SantullÆn and Braæosera (Palencia, Spain) and which is currently under construction is causing
much concern amongst local people on account of the fact that it is located on the boundary of the
Fuentes Carrionas-Fuente del Cobre, Montaæa Palentina National Park which is home to the brown bear,
a listed species threatened with extinction. It will also affect broad swathes of vegetation including beech
and holly trees.

It is somewhat inconsistent that the relevant authorities in the Castilla-Le(cid:243)n region should seek Unesco
World Heritage status for the Romanesque architecture of Palencia (which is located in the area concerned)
and at the same time allow the installation of hundreds of windmills that spoil the surroundings of
monuments which are of exceptional historical and cultural significance.

Although the use of renewable energy sources should indeed be increased, places should be found for wind
farms which do not affect the natural and cultural environment.

In the case under consideration there could be infringement of, at the very least, the following Directives:

(cid:129) 85/337/EEC (1) on environmental impact studies;

(cid:129) 92/43/EEC (2) on natural habitats;

(cid:129) 79/409/EEC (3) on the protection of birds.

What action is the Commission intending to take in order to ensure that Community law is properly
applied and to prevent irreversible damage to the areas concerned?

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

C 340 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

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

(21 June 2001)

The Commission was not aware of the situation referred to by the Honourable Member. However, it has
checked that that the area has been proposed by Spain for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network provided
for in Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild
fauna and flora (site ES 4140011 (cid:129) (cid:145)Fuentes Carrionas (cid:129) Fuente del Cobre, montaæa palentina(cid:146)). The
area has also been classified by the Spanish authorities as a special protection area for birds under Council
Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds.

The site covers an area of 78 178 hectares.

The area hosts one of the most endangered mammals in Europe, the brown bear, a priority species listed
in Annex II to Council Directive 92/43/EEC, with a population of twenty animals. It also contains 31 of
the habitat types listed in Annex I to Directive 92/43/EEC, 8 of which are priority (4030, 6212, 4020,
6220, 9580, 7130, 7220 and 6230).

The area hosts 24 of the bird species listed in Annex I to Directive 79/409/EEC. Other forest and alpine
birds are also present and are of great national and regional importance (Dendrocopus medius, Dryocopus
martius and Aquila chrysaetos). The presence of another 24 migratory species has also been noted.

In view of the above, the Commission has decided to launch an own-initiative investigation to look into
the situation referred to in the written question.

It has contacted the Spanish authorities to check that Community law is being observed in this instance.

(2001/C 340 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1183/01

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Human rights in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement

In January of this year the Commission President, Romano Prodi, went to Tunisia as part of a programme
of visits which also took him to Algeria and Morocco.

Whilst in Tunisia, Mr Prodi held discussions with the country(cid:146)s authorities on topics such as emigration,
human rights, the conflict in the Middle East and the situation in the Arab Maghreb Union.

Human rights in Tunisia are constantly being violated and during his visit, Mr Prodi had a meeting with
the recently banned Tunisian League for the Protection of Human Rights. In the light of the above, could
the Commission say what cooperation initiatives are being undertaken in Tunisia in connection with the
Euro-Mediterranean Agreement?

Reply given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2001)

The Commission has always been concerned for human rights and civil
principle, we consider any decision to restrict such freedoms to be regrettable.

liberties. As a result, and on

The EU(cid:146)s partnership with Tunisia takes the form of a process of gradual integration. In this context, the
Commission initially decided to give priority to the two positive instruments provided for by the
Barcelona Declaration and the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement -- namely, political dialogue and funding
programmes to promote human rights and civil liberties. Our aim is to see a lasting improvement in the
field of human rights and freedom of expression.