WRITTEN QUESTION E-3182/01 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Landfill on the island of Gozo (Malta).
Date: 2001-11-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Malta, environmental protection, island, public health, waste management

C 160 E/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6. December 2001)

In the Community statement before the 57th UN Commission on Human Rights on 29 March 2001, the
Community expressed its concern about the fact that the exercise of political opposition is not tolerated in
Laos and has led to the detention of several persons in October 1999 and November 1999 for
demonstrating against the government. The Community is also concerned about the arbitrary nature of
some of the arrests, the non-existence in practice of the right to preparation of legal defence and counsel,
and the lack of legal training of the judiciary in Laos PDR.

The Commission’s Delegation in Bangkok, which covers relations with Laos PDR, follows this and other
matters relating to human rights very closely. On the issue of political prisoners, the Commission, in
cooperation with the Diplomatic Missions of the Member States, continues to monitor developments and
to participate in Community démarches requesting information on the legal procedures regarding political
prisoners.

Human rights issues, such as restrictions in freedom of opinion and expression, flaws in the system of
administration of justice as well as political prisoners, were discussed with representatives from Laos in the
first EU-Laos PDR Joint Committee, which took place in May 2001. On this occasion, the Commission also
reiterated the suggestion by the Parliament Delegation, which visited Vientiane in April, that Community
the Red Cross be authorised to visit political
Ambassadors and/or the International Committee of
prisoners.

The Commission is committed to emphasising the need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights
including freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion. The Commission will
in Laos,
continue to raise these matters in all our bilateral contacts.

(2002/C 160 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3182/01

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: Landfill on the island of Gozo (Malta)

On the island of Gozo, off the major island of Malta, there is a landfill which has not been built according
to basic specifications and which is detrimental to the environment and to the health of the people living
on the island. This landfill lies in the locality of Xaghra, between the town of Marsalforn and Ramla Bay.
The specific name of the area is Il Qortin. The landfill has now grown to the size of approximately one
square kilometre and has reached a height of around 40 metres.

In view of the fact that this landfill is only a few metres away from inhabited residences and very close to
the sea and also because all types of waste @ toxic and non-toxic @ are being dumped in this area, what
action is the Commission taking with the authorities in Malta to protect the health of the inhabitants of
the island of Gozo?

It must be noted that because of combustion of the waste in the landfill, the fumes are polluting the air
and entering residents’ homes.

What help does the Commission consider giving the Maltese Government to shut down the landfill, since
this practice of depositing waste actually impinges on the fundamental rights of the Gozitan and Maltese
residents?

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/69

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

The Commission has financed in 2000 a study, for a total cost of € 92,000, for the design of an overall
waste management strategy for Malta. This study was finalized in May 2001 and has been published by the
Maltese authorities. Following public discussions, Malta adopted the strategy and is designing a waste
management plan for its implementation.

This plan is developed along three lines of actions:

@ the management of municipal and toxic waste;

@ the management of construction and demolition waste;

@ the closure, remediation, restoration, landscaping and after-care of the existing landfill sites including

the Qortin landfill in Gozo.

The Maltese government
technical
specifications so as to be able to launch tenders by the end of the year, in order to contract specialized
companies to implement the decided actions.

is working, with the help of consultants, on the drafting of

Besides that, the Commission has agreed to finance a pre-accession project in 2002 for the strengthening
of the Maltese administrative capacity in environment. This project, for a total cost of € 1,4 million, will,
among other actions, provide a substantial support to strengthen the newly created Waste Management
Services Agency and allow it to attribute the contracts and monitor their implementation in the best
possible way.

The Commission is monitoring closely the developments in this area.

Future discussions concerning the implementation of the Community’s acquis in the waste field will
include examination of how the orientations of the waste strategy are being translated into reality and in
particular how and which funds will be secured to ensure closure, remediation, restoration, landscaping
and after-care of the existing landfills.

(2002/C 160 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3187/01

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: Bush meat

Can the Commission confirm that on 6 November it received 340 000 signatures from European citizens
protesting against increasing European sales of African bush meat, which represents exports of four
million tonnes a year?

Does the Commission know that this meat comes from wild animals in Africa, including some that are
under threat of extinction?

Is the Commission prepared to introduce an import ban on this meat or strict, controlled import quotas
because otherwise certain groups of African wild animals will become extinct within ten years as a result
of these exports?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 February 2002)

The Commission confirms that a petition of 1 800 000 signatures on the bushmeat crisis was handed over
to the Member of the Commission responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid by the European
Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the
occasion of a press conference at the Development Council on 8 November 2001.