WRITTEN QUESTION P-3174/01 by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Environmental effects of the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area.
Date: 2001-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Epirus, European Commission, application of EU law, cultural heritage, environmental impact, exchange of information, nature reserve, opinion poll, power plant

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/207

explain why it has no intention of publishing the findings of the observers employed by the relevant
Member States who are required to sample the percentage of each species of fish caught by vessels fishing
for sandeels in the North Sea so that fishermen’s representatives, marine biologists, legislators, journalists
or other independent observers may make a more informed assessment as to the efficacy of
the
Community’s conservation policies in this area?

(1) OJ C 40 E, 14.2.2002, p. 133.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2002)

The Commission shares with the Honourable Member the need for transparency and public scrutiny of the
workings of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 259/2001 (1) requests Member States to send to the
Commission by 1 June 2001 a comprehensive report on the activities and findings of the observers
assigned to Community vessels flying their flag and of their sampling of landings.

Regarding the findings of the observers employed by the relevant Member States, who are required to
sample notably by-catch of cod in the quantities caught by vessels fishing for sandeels in the North Sea,
the Commission has reminded the Member States concerned of their obligations to submit a report
compiling the results obtained during 2001.

The Commission will take the necessary steps in case the Member States do not comply with their
obligation to report in time.

Upon the reception of these reports the relevant information will be disseminated as appropriate.

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No. 259/2001 of 7 February 2001 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock
of cod in the North Sea (ICES subarea IV) and associated conditions for the control of activities of fishing vessels;
OJ L 39, 9.2.2001.

(2002/C 134 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3174/01

by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Environmental effects of the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area

In the neighbourhoods of Vovousa on the Aoos (district of Ioannina) and Aghios Nikolaos on the
Arachthos (district of Arta), the engineering companies AEGEK Energy and Engineering Ltd are planning to
construct two 93 MW hydroelectric projects, and a smaller one is scheduled for construction in the Anilios
area (Ronas forest). The projects all lie within the larger area of the Pindus national park (Valia Kalda),
which is registered in Natura 2000, the European ecological network, and another national park currently
being set up. This construction will lead to environmental degradation of the whole region, important
habitats will be threatened by the diversion of the Aoos at Vovousa and cultural monuments on the
Arachthos (Plaka bridge and the customs building) will be put at risk. In none of these three cases were the
procedures for informing the public and taking public opinion into account complied with. In addition,
local environmental organisations say that Engineering A. E. submitted an inaccurate map to the relevant
authorities, showing the above monuments 1 kilometre north of
to avoid the
application of the licensing procedure.

their true position,

C 134 E/208

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Licensing of the above projects is proceeding in contravention of Council Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 (1)
on projects funded by the Third CSF (see Article 12 on compatibility with Community policies) as well as
certain Council directives: under 85/337/EEC (2) as amended by 97/11/EC (3), an assessment of the effects
of certain public and private projects on the environment is compulsory and the opinion of the public
concerned must be taken into account in the development consent procedure (Articles 6(2) and 8).
Licensing also contravenes Directive 92/43/EC (4), one fundamental aim of which is to preserve Natura
2000 areas in good condition. Article 6 of this directive stipulates that for actions likely to have significant
effects on Natura 2000 areas an appropriate assessment must be made of implications on the regions’
ecological value, and actions should be approved only if they do not adversely affect their integrity.

The recent European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/60/EC (5) also includes the objective of the
adoption of measures to protect water and ensure it is used in a sustainable way.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the above legal provisions are actually
applied in this specific case?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(4) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(5) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

In view of the situation reported by the Honourable Member, the Commission intends to send a letter to
the Greek authorities requesting information on compliance with Council Directive 85/337/EEC of
27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment,
as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, and asking whether due consideration has
been given to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and
of wild fauna and flora. Once it has received the Greek authorities’ reply the Commission will check for
any incompatibility with the aforementioned Community legislation.

(2002/C 134 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3178/01

by Reimer Böge (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: New arrangements for frozen beef and veal import quotas

Regulation (EC) No 1080/2001 (1) sets out the tariff concessions to apply to frozen beef and veal imported
from non-member countries in the year 2001/02.

To avoid quota speculation, the Commission has stipulated that the quota is to be apportioned only
among traders importing not less than 80 tonnes of meat or exporting at least 160 tonnes.

Although the goal of preventing quota speculation is to be applauded,
disadvantages than not for small and medium-sized enterprises.

the changes entail more

When altering the administration of import quotas as it plans to do, what steps will the Commission take
to afford access to all firms, irrespective of their size?

(1) OJ L 149, 2.6.2001, p. 11.