WRITTEN QUESTION P-2368/01 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. High-speed railway in Tuscany and sites of Community importance.
Date: 2001-08-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Tuscany, environmental impact, environmental protection, high-speed transport, impact study, rail network, water protection

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animal diseases, and (ii) economic consequences for the European Union generally or for regions thereof of
any changes proposed.

What proposals does the Commission intend to submit to the Council in response to the resolution, and
what timetable does the Commission envisage?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 2001)

The protection of animals during transport is a priority for the Commission who fully shares the concerns
expressed in the resolution adopted in June 2001 by the Council of Ministers, to which the Honourable
Member refers.

In January 2001 a Commission report (1) on this issue was discussed at the Council of Ministers. On this
occasion the Member States approved and supported the conclusions of the Commission. The Commission
report concludes that Member States have had obvious difficulties in fully applying Community legislation
in this field. The report also suggests that measures to encourage the slaughter of animals closer to the
places where they are raised also merits examination. The Commission believes that stricter rules are
essential for the improvement of the current situation and has already taken several initiatives including
the presentation of two legislative proposals in this domain. The first proposal (2) for a Council Regulation
concerning ventilation systems of road vehicles used for journeys exceeding eight hours, aims to improve
the standards of the vehicles including requirements for a minimum ventilation rate and mandatory
systems for monitoring the temperature inside the lorries. The second proposal (3) aims to obtain a
mandate from the Council to negotiate the participation of the Community in the revised European
Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport.

An additional proposal amending Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection
of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC (4) is under preparation
aiming at introducing additional higher standards for animal transport, and at facilitating the adminis-
trative procedures to allow better enforcement and easier persecution of
those responsible for the
infringements. Furthermore following the outcome of a new opinion of the Scientific Committee on
Animal Welfare, expected for the end of 2001, a redefinition of travelling times and loading densities may
be proposed taking into account new scientific evidences.

In the preparation of any proposal introducing new animal welfare standards including the ones related to
the protection during transport, the respect of animal health and public health is a priority for the
Commission, in particular the prevention of the spreading of any animal disease.

(1) COM(2000) 809 final.
(2) COM(2001) 197 final.
(3) SEC(2000) 649 final.
(4) OJ L 340, 11.12.1991.

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WRITTEN QUESTION P-2368/01

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(2 August 2001)

Subject: High-speed railway in Tuscany and sites of Community importance

Badia di Moscheta (Alto Mugello), a hilly area famed for its beauty and rich in historical associations in the
vicinity of Florence, is seriously threatened by the building work on the TAV SpA high-speed railway
project and especially the 73 kms of tunnelling currently under construction between Florence and
Bologna. The work is causing a loss of significant volumes of quality water resources, subsidence (1) and

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the drying up and pollution of Apennine streams of high biotic value. The work also currently represents a
threat to the delicate pre-karst ecosystem of Monte Morello which, despite being an extremely valuable
habitat in the immediate vicinity of Florence and a regional park designated by the Tuscany Region as a
(cid:145)site of Community importance(cid:146) on a par with the Conca di Firenzuola (where the Badia di Moscheta and
Valle d(cid:146)Inferno are located (2) and other ecosystems designated as sites of Community importance (Sasso di
Castrol, Giogo-Colla di Casaglia) within the meaning of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), will be affected
by the high-speed railway project. The Moscheta and Felciaione springs are due to be intercepted in August
2001. This may be delayed by a few weeks as a result of the recent suspension of work due firstly to the
intense drainage work in the Marzano tunnel and secondly to the order given by Florence Prosecutor(cid:146)s
Office to stop work owing to environmental damage.

Will the Commission intervene to ensure that the building of the high-speed railway link is suspended
until excavation methods or alternative routes have been identified to avoid irreversible pollution or
interference with water resources in the Badia di Moscheta area, designated by the Tuscany region as a (cid:145)site
of Community importance(cid:146)?

Will the Commission take the necessary measures to ensure that other sites of Community importance
which are threatened by this project are protected (Monte Morello, Sasso di Castrol and Giogo-Colla di
Casaglia)?

Will the Commission check that Directive 97/11 (3) on environmental impact assessments is complied with
during consideration of the above project, given that the hydrogeological impact has not been sufficiently
taken into account?

(1)
In Luco di Mugello, in addition to streams drying up, a field subsided to seven metres below its original level.
(2) Site of Community importance 37 within the meaning of the Habitats directive (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7) owing
to its special environmental value. Tuscany Regional Council Decision No 342 of 10 November 1998 describes the
site as (cid:145)one of the most important areas in the region in terms of conservation of many threatened bird species
linked to traditional agricultural environments (ortolans, pipits and quails). Used as a hunting ground by many birds
of prey, some of which build their nests in adjacent sites. The area contains scarcely disturbed water courses, with
underbrush formations along their banks mainly of the Hippophaerhamnoides ssp. fluviatilis type which serve as a
habitat for local fish species linked to quality environments. Mammals include the Canis lupus and, among the
vertebrates, it is worth noting the Lepidoptera Callimorpha quadripunctata(cid:146).

(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

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

(4 October 2001)

The project mentioned by the Honourable Member is covered by category 7 (lines for long-distance
railway traffic) of Annex I of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the
effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (1) whether before or after being amended
by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997.

Under Directive 85/337/EEC, whether before or after being amended by Directive 97/11/EC, projects
falling into Annex I are to be made subject to an environmental impact assessment which should identify,
describe and assess in an appropriate manner, in the light of each individual case and in accordance with
the Articles 4 to 11, the direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors: human beings,
fauna and flora; soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; material assets and the cultural heritage. This
assessment should also address the inter-action between these various factors.

In addition, on the basis of the information provided by the Honourable Member, it appears that the
project could be likely to have a significant effect on certain sites covered by Council Directive 92/43/EEC
of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2).

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Under Article 6, paragraph 3, of Directive 92/43/EEC, with reference to the sites which, according to the
procedure laid down by the directive, will be listed as Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and which will
be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) any plan or project not directly connected with or
necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually
or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject
its
implications for the site in view of the site(cid:146)s conservation objectives.

to appropriate assessment of

However, at present, the above mentioned provision cannot yet be applied. The procedure mentioned,
which provides that SCIs are chosen from a list of proposed Sites of Community Importance (pSCI), and
then designated as SACs, has not been concluded. The sites presently covered by the directive, included
those mentioned by the Honourable Member, are still at the stage of proposed sites (pSCI). With reference
to pSCIs, Member States have certain obligations to act in a way so as to ensure that the aims of the
Directive are not jeopardised. In particular, they are advised to at least abstain from all activities that may
cause a proposed site to deteriorate.

In the specific case, not being aware of
the
Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to gather detailed information about it and to ensure,
within the limits of the EC Treaty, the observance of Community law.

the situation described by the Honourable Member,

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 81 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2370/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Breakdown of R & D funds

(8 August 2001)

Will the Commission provide details of the funding so far received by each Member State for projects
submitted under the fifth R & D framework programme (1998-2002) and describe the scope of each
project?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Funding under the Community research framework programme is given to consortia of legal entities
(universities, research centres (cid:133)) from different member countries, carrying out specific research projects
jointly and through transnational collaboration. Member States as such are not beneficiaries of Community
research funding.

The added value of
the framework programme resides in the promotion of European research
collaboration and networking. The main advantage of the programmes consists in the fact that every
single partner has access to the totality of the results of the projects in which it is involved whatever its
financial contribution and whatever Community funding it receives.

Information on the number of participations of the individual Member States in each specific research
programme is available in the Annual Report on research activities published every year (1). The statistical
annex prepared for the 2001 report will be sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat
general of the Parliament.

The Cordis database accessible on Internet (http://www.cordis.lu) also provides access to information and
search facilities. It allows for example all projects with participants from a given region to be listed and
provides details about the objectives of the projects and the total cost and Community funding.

(1) COM(2000) 842 final.