WRITTEN QUESTION P-3121/01 by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Tunnel safety.
Date: 2001-11-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: accident prevention, harmonisation of standards, proposal (EU), road safety, safety standard, tunnel

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/203

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

The Commission is concerned that compensation may have given American airlines the financial means to
compete unfairly on the transatlantic routes with their European counterparts.

Unfortunately, the refusal of the Council to agree a mandate permitting formal negotiations at European
level with the United States in the air transport field has hindered so far a more vigorous response by the
Commission.

Nonetheless, the Commission was able to take some action at the highest level by communicating its
concern about the provision of this state aid through a letter to the American Secretary of State for
Transportation. Further high level contact between the Director-General for Energy and Transport and the
Deputy Secretary of Transportation in Washington permitted the Commission to propose for the
development of improved information exchange and cooperation procedures. This proposal could at least
ensure greater transparency on the issue.

The Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 of 18 January 1993, on the allocation of slots at Community
airports (1) provides for neutral and non-discriminatory rules for the allocation of slots. The modifications
proposed by the Commission further reenforce the independence of the slot co-ordinator, clarify the rules
and introduce sanctions to ensure better enforcement of the rules.

(1) OJ L 14, 22.1.1993.

(2002/C 134 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3121/01

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 November 2001)

Subject: Tunnel safety

The latest fatal accident which occurred on 24 October in the Gotthard tunnel and killed 11 people has
re-opened the issue of tunnel safety with a vengeance.

In view of this, does the Commission plan to take the necessary action by drawing up a proposal, in
particular as regards:

7 technical equipment (early accident detection systems, ventilation, safety recesses, evacuation tunnels

etc.);

7 traffic regulations (restrictions on high-risk vehicles, minimum distance between vehicles, alternating

traffic flow);

7 staff training and speed of emergency service response?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2001)

As already stated in the ‘White Paper on European transport policy for 2010: time to decide’ (1), the
Commission will propose at the beginning of 2002 a directive aimed at harmonising minimum safety
standards in tunnels.

The proposed directive will deal with the subjects already mentioned by the Honourable Member, as well
as with better information for users, better communication between tunnel operators and drivers as well as
better traffic management and prevention of accidents.

C 134 E/204

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Action had already been taken at Community level following the first tragic tunnel fires. The Commission
has set up a working plan, which also included safety in tunnels in its 5th framework Research and
Technological Development
(RTD) programme. A research project on durable and reliable tunnel
structures (DARTS), as well as a thematic network on Fires in Tunnels (FIT), has been funded. Other
proposals are under evaluation following the latest call in June 2001 for a thematic network on general
tunnel safety.

(1) COM(2001) 370 final.

(2002/C 134 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3136/01

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(14 November 2001)

Subject: Payment of export refunds on live cattle

On 25 October 2001, Parliament voted to delete from the 2002 budget the payment of export refunds on
live slaughter and breeding cattle exported from the European Union to third countries. Last year, that
trade was subsidised by the EU taxpayer to the tune of EUR 58 million and involved over 300 000 cattle.

Moreover, the German Government asked for a discussion to be held at the Council of Agriculture
Ministers of 23 October on the ending of export refunds in respect of live cattle exported from the EU to
third countries for slaughter. Last year, Germany exported 76 204 slaughter cattle to third countries, more
than any other Member State. That discussion was held over to a future Council meeting.

Given that, on 6 April 2001, Commissioner David Byrne said ‘I believe that we need to limit the transport
of animals over long-distance journeys to the really necessary ones’, does the Commission still hold the
view that export refunds should continue to be payable on live cattle exported from the EU to third
countries.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

At the first reading of the preliminary draft budget for 2002, Parliament approved a reduction of € 58
million in the budget heading for refunds in the beef sector. This amount is equivalent to the export
refunds for all bovine animals (breeding and slaughter).

On 20 November 2001 the Council examined the question of refunds for slaughter cattle.

In the interests of improving the conditions under which animals are transported, the Commission is
considering presenting to the Council a proposal amending Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) on the
protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC. With the
Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Welfare expected to deliver a new opinion at the beginning of
2002, a review of transport times and loading density standards is not out of the question.

The Commission shares the opinion the Council expressed in its resolution of 19 June 2001 (2). Animal
welfare cannot be dealt with in isolation; it must be seen in the context of the sector as a whole.

At its sitting on 14 November 2001 Parliament adopted a resolution approving the report issued by the
parliamentary committees on agriculture and rural development and environment, public health and
consumer policy, and, in particular, called on the Commission to abolish export refunds for live animals
for slaughter at the earliest possible opportunity. This also demonstrates Parliament’s conviction that this
issue should not be dealt with in isolation, without taking into account other aspects relating to the