WRITTEN QUESTION P-1262/01 by Simon Murphy (PSE) to the Commission. Proposed precious metals directive.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, accession to the European Union, precious metal, proposal (EU)

C 340 E/206

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 Community considers the (cid:145)Posidona beds(cid:146) (Posidona oceanica) habitat referred by the Honourable
Member to be a priority, as stipulated in Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna.

This concerns a natural habitat which is in danger of disappearing, the Community having particular
responsibility for its conservation in view of the natural range which falls within Community territory.

The Directive establishes a European ecological network containing special conservation areas called
(cid:145)Natura 2000.(cid:146) The Member States are thus obliged to contribute to this network by designating sites
hosting these natural habitats.

The list of sites selected as sites of Community importance must be finalised by the Commission based on
a draft list drawn up by the Commission in agreement with the Member States. This first list is drawn up
after the Member States have sent the relevant information and their analysis. This analysis is confirmed by
the European Environment Agency(cid:146)s Nature Topic Centre and the results are finally adopted during the
special biogeographical seminars which are open to non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Information regarding future sites to be protected in the Mediterranean is continuously submitted to the
Commission. A biogeographical seminar for the Mediterranean is scheduled to take place before the end of
2001. Therefore, any pronouncement on whether or not the Spanish proposals are adequate regarding the
protection of the (cid:145)Posidona beds(cid:146) is certainly premature.

As regards the National Hydrological Plan, it should be noted that this plan has been the subject of several
information exchanges between the Commission and the Spanish authorities, the latter reaffirming their
commitment to comply with Community law applicable throughout implementation of the plan.

(2001/C 340 E/236)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1262/01

by Simon Murphy (PSE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Proposed precious metals directive

Will the Commission categorically deny that it is putting any pressure on applicant countries to include
the Commission(cid:146)s draft directive (cid:129) Articles made of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium),
harmonisation of essential requirements, COD930472 (cid:129) in their acquis communautaire procedures?

What is the Commission(cid:146)s assessment of the latest state of play in respect of this draft directive?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 2001)

The Union did not request the candidate countries to comply with the draft Directive relating to articles of
precious metals (1) in the context of the negotiations. Indeed, the Proposal for Directive is a draft and it is
therefore not yet part of the acquis. The accession negotiations focus on the terms under which the
applicants will adopt, implement and enforce the acquis.

However, the Commission has informed the candidate countries, when so requested, on the Proposal for
the Directive as well as on amended proposal adopted by the Commission in 1994 (2).

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/207

The Commission notes that since 1998 the Council has not discussed the proposal. Its services will
examine what steps to take in the light of the current situation.

(1) OJ C 318, 25.11.1993.
(2) OJ C 209, 29.7.1994.

(2001/C 340 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1263/01

by Eva Klamt (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Attempts by non-EU nationals to gain illegal entry to the UK

German haulage contractors report that illegal immigrants, with the aid of people smugglers, endeavour to
board lorries bound for the UK at the borders of transit countries en route from Germany to the UK. The
hauliers claim that the French, Belgian and Netherlands authorities are aware of this situation but that
nothing is done. The UK authorities, on the other hand, search lorries specifically for illegal immigrants
and fine the haulage firms £2000 for each illegal immigrant discovered. This fine is also payable even if
the drivers or firms can prove that they have checked their vehicles. The persons apprehended have to be
taken back across the border and released, only to make another attempt at illegal entry immediately,
while the national border authorities look on.

Is the Commission aware of the situation described above and is it an accurate account?

Do the fines which haulage firms are required to pay the UK in respect of illegal immigrants affect the
operation of the internal market?

What measures will the Commission take in response to the lack of cooperation in preventing illegal
immigration on the part of the French, Belgian and Netherlands authorities, and to the fines imposed by
the UK?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2001)

The Commission is well aware of the situation that illegal immigrants, quite often with the aid of people
smugglers, attempt to board lorries bound for the United Kingdom in neighbouring Member States,
especially Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The tragedy of Dover where, in June 2000, 58 Chinese
nationals suffocated to death in the lorry in which they were clandestinely travelling, illustrated in a most
shocking way the complex problem to face. According to information available to the Commission,
Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have recently started technical discussions on
how to improve the prevention of illegal crossings across the Channel.

Regarding the question whether the existing british legislation on carrier(cid:146)s liability affects the operation of
the internal market, especially for haulage contractors, the Commission has already stated on previous
occasions that, in its view, this legislation does not lead to an infringement of Community law. In that
connection, the Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to the answers given by the
Commission to Written Questions P-4042/00 by Mrs Doyle (1) and E-1110/01 by Mr Konrad (2).

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 220.
(2) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 205.