WRITTEN QUESTION E-2084/01 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Fervasa solid urban waste treatment plant in Quart de Poblet and Aldaia (Valencia region, Spain).
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, application of EU law, environmental law, environmental protection, industrial building, quality of the environment, waste management

C 40 E/182

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

It is therefore crucial to develop policies at the Union level to deal with the prevention of and the fight
against illegal
immigration and in particular also against criminal networks, which are involved. The
Council adopted in June 2001 a Directive defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, movement and
stay and a accompanying Framework Decision on the strengthening of the penal framework to prevent the
facilitation of unauthorised entry and residence, which sets a frame for the prosecution of facilitators.
Moreover the Council also adopted a Directive supplementing the provisions of Art. 26 of the Convention
implementing the Schengen Agreement in order to further define the obligations of carriers. In December
2000,
the Commission adopted a Communication on combating trafficking in human beings and
combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, which includes a proposal for a
Council framework decision on combating trafficking in human beings.

The Commission considers it important to initiate measures on illegal immigration as foreseen in Art. 63
3. b) (ex Article 73 K) of the EC Treaty as soon as possible. It intends, therefore, to initiate an in-depth
discussions in the framework of a future Communication on the common endeavour preventing and
fighting against illegal immigration, which will be tabled in the course of the next weeks.

(2002/C 40 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2084/01

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Fervasa solid urban waste treatment plant in Quart de Poblet and Aldaia (Valencia region, Spain)

The Fervasa solid urban waste treatment plant, which is located in the municipalities of Quart de Poblet
and Aldaia, has been the subject of complaints to the relevant Spanish authorities on account of the
serious environmental problems which it is creating.

The plant, which treats 70 % of all the waste generated in Valencia Province, is failing to comply with
current regulations since:

(cid:129) it gives off unpleasant odours which can be smelt up to 5 miles away from the plant;

(cid:129) it produces excessive leaching on account of the fact that the compost fermentation area is not
properly covered and sealed, organic matter becomes mixed with slurry and waste is dumped on the
surface rather than underground, with the added problem that the leaching may be contaminating the
underground water;

(cid:129) it generates excessive airborne waste on account of the fact that the plant is inadequately sealed and

there is no processing pit;

(cid:129) it attracts many rats on account of the nature of the plant and the way in which the waste is treated;

(cid:129) it causes high levels of air pollution on account of the constant stream of lorries (240 per day)

bringing waste to the plant.

In these circumstances, it is particularly worrying that the Fervasa plant is located on the terraces of the
Poyo ravine and is directly linked to the protected areas of the Valencia water plain (in particular the
Albufera wetlands).

In view of relevant Community legislation relating in particular to pollution control, air pollution,
industrial risks and waste management, what action is the Commission intending to take in order to force
the Spanish authorities to comply with environmental regulations in the case of the Fervasa plant?

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/183

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

(20 September 2001)

The Commission has no knowledge of the problem mentioned by the Honourable Member.

For this reason it has just sent a request to the Spanish authorities for information on the facts as stated, so
as to determine the most appropriate way to implement the Community legislation applicable.

(2002/C 40 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2087/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: European Commission office in occupied Cyprus

Will the Commission state whether it intends to open an office in the occupied part of Cyprus, and, if so,
what will be the intended purpose of this office, where is it hoped it will be located, what budget will be
allocated towards its operation, how many staff will it employ, who will manage it, and who will be this
person(cid:146)s line-manager?

If it is the intention of the Commission to open such an office, what has been the reaction of the
Government of Cyprus and of the authorities in occupied Cyprus to the proposal?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

The Commission has a Delegation in Nicosia and has no intention of opening another representation in
Cyprus.

As part of the Commission(cid:146)s efforts to inform the Turkish Cypriot community about the Union, the acquis
and the benefits of membership, the Commission is planning to recruit a Turkish Cypriot local agent, who
will be based in the Delegation in Nicosia under the management of the Head of Delegation.

The Commission is also examining with representatives of the business community, ways and means to
improve the flow of information concerning the Union in the north.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus supports these initiatives.

(2002/C 40 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2090/01

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

Subject: The Sixth Framework Programme for Research in the EU

(13 July 2001)

Why has research into diseases been scaled down under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research,
and why have certain diseases been left out of the programme altogether?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2001)

The Commission does not envisage that disease-related research will be scaled down under the next
Framework Programme compared to the Fifth Framework Programme for Research and technological
development. The proposed budget should actually increase the amount of funding available for such
research.