WRITTEN QUESTION E-2888/01 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Plan for an airport in Castellón (Spain).
Date: 2001-10-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community of Valencia, airport, business location, competence of the Member States

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/187

(2002/C 115 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2883/01

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Crop-spraying using the insecticide Lebaycid on Corfu and the legality of its use

Is the Commission aware that the Greek authorities permit crop-spraying (originally by fixed-wing aircraft
and now, following public pressure, by helicopter) using the insecticide Lebaycid every 10 to 15 days
throughout the summer months in the north-eastern part of Corfu in an effort to control the Dacus fly,
which eats the olive fruit, and that this is associated with a number of respiratory complaints suffered by
people living outside the main villages of Kassopi and Acharavi? One resident, Mr Andrew Langton took
soil samples from an area used for recreational purposes in the winter months which, after analysis,
revealed traces of Fenthion.

Can the Commission say if such spraying in populated areas is legal?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Written Question
E-3552/00 by Mr Papayannakis (1) in which the legal provisions concerning the use of plant protection
products are set out.

The aerial application of Lebaycid, an insecticide containing the active substance fenthion, is at present a
matter regulated by the national law of the Member States. As explained in greater detail in that reply, the
use of fenthion is at present allowed under Community law pending the completion of the evaluation in
accordance with the provisions of Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing
of plant protection products on the market (2).

The Community evaluation of
fenthion has almost been finalised and the Commission will, after
consultation of the Scientific Committee on Plants, propose as soon as possible a decision on fenthion,
which will also address the acceptable ways of application.

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 76.
(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2002/C 115 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2888/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Plan for an airport in Castellón (Spain)

The Provincial Council of Castellón is currently promoting a project to build an airport in Castellón (in the
Region of Valencia). This project was forwarded to the Spanish Ministry for Public Works for its approval,
but there was no response. The AENA (Spanish airports and air traffic authority) has stated that it
considers the planned airport facilities to be unnecessary, since Valencia airport, only 70 km from
Castellón, already caters for all the commercial and passenger transport needs.

It has just been announced that the land on which the airport is supposed to be built is being expropriated
the Valencian Regional
(the Commission can consult
Government @ DOGV 4070, dated 23 August 2001).

the announcement

in the Official

Journal of

In view of the facts set out above and taking into account the European Union’s airport and air transport
requirements, what view does the Commission take of the plan to build a new airport in the Region of
Valencia?

C 115 E/188

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2001)

The development of a new airport is a decision that rests entirely with the competent authorities in Spain.
The Commission has no role to play at this level of the decision process.

(2002/C 115 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2892/01

by James Fitzsimons (UEN) to the Commission

(12 October 2001)

Subject: Imports of meat from Argentina

Can the Commission indicate the scale of meat imports from Argentina into the EU Member States in the
last year?

Can it also indicate whether or not these imports are accompanied by medical and health certificates and
the checks which are carried out on such imports?

Can it state, on the basis of its own information, whether and to what extent foot-and-mouth disease is
present in Argentina? Should foot-and-mouth disease be present in Argentina, will it ban such imports?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2001)

According to data available (Eurostat), the amount of meat imported into Member States from Argentina in
2000 was 52 361 tonnes.

Meat exported from Argentina to the Community should fulfil certain animal health conditions, which
have been laid down in Commission Decision 93/402/EEC of 10 June 1993 concerning animal health
conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat from South American countries. These
conditions include freedom from disease, de-boning and maturation of the meat.

The animal health certificate and a public health certificate as laid down in the annex to Council Directive
72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of
bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries must be completed, signed and accompany
the meat to the border inspection posts of the Community. These border inspection posts carry out import
controls on consignments comprising 100 % documentary and identity checks; physical checks are also
carried out on a percentage of these consignments.

The Argentinean authorities confirmed outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on 23 April 2001 in
Buenos Aires and suspended their export of meat
from the whole country. Member States were
immediately informed and Commission Decision 2001/276/EC of 4 April 2001 amending Decision
93/402/EEC (1) concerning animal health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of fresh meat
from South American countries was taken to enforce this suspension.

(1) OJ L 95, 5.4.2001.