WRITTEN QUESTION P-3556/01 by Arlette Laguiller (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Firework explosion in Lanhelas (Portugal) on 2 June 2000.
Date: 2002-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aid to disaster victims, chemical accident, civil defence, environmental risk prevention, explosive, industrial hazard, occupational safety

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Although there has been no reaction yet at institutional level, the reports published in the international
press confirm the seriousness and accuracy of the allegations made.

Given that the media worldwide claim that Somalia could be one of the next targets of the anti-terrorist
campaign, will the Council specify:

(cid:31) whether it is in a position, through the Member States’ secret services, to check the accuracy of the
claims made in the document and to reply to my question and to those of the general public as a
matter of urgency?

(cid:31) whether it is already aware of this situation and, if so, what measures it has taken?

(cid:31) whether the governments engaged in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan have assessed the

dangerous nature of the situation in Somalia?

(cid:31) whether it is considering the possibility of providing support for the Somali movements opposed to
the present government, who for a long time have been active in fighting terrorism in their country
and in seeking to set up a government of national unity with a view to establishing a federal state?

Reply

(13 May 2002)

Since the Council is not in possession of the document referred to by the Honourable Parliamentarian, it is
not
raised by the Honourable
Parliamentarian.

in a position to answer

linked to the document

the questions

The Council
including Somalia, in the fight against terrorism, based i.a. on reports by EU Heads of Mission.

is in the process of evaluating the commitment and the cooperation of third countries,

The EU position concerning Somalia and the present government was expressed in statements dated
25 August 2000, 8 September 2000 and 10 August 2001. In these statements the EU called on the
authorities of Somaliland and Puntland to establish constructive relations with the institutions, which have
emerged from the Arta process, and urged the future transitional government to establish a constructive
dialogue as soon as possible with the aforementioned authorities for the purpose of reestablishing national
unity in peace with respect for the elements of stability achieved.

In line with this position, the EU issued a Declaration dated 1 February 2002 on the occasion of the 9th
IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) summit held in Khartoum on 11 January 2002,
welcoming the timely resolution adopted on Somalia and the recommendations contained therein. The EU
particularly welcomed IGAD’s recommendation urging the TNG and all other parties to commit themselves
to combat terrorism in all its forms, and IGAD’s calls for cooperation among the three frontline states
(Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti), which give hope of renewed impetus to the peace and reconciliation
process. Moreover, the EU called upon all parties to put aside their differences and to participate in the
IGAD-facilitated dialogue without preconditions and with a genuine resolve of broadening and completing
the national reconciliation process, emphasising its readiness to examine ways and means on how to
support IGAD’s efforts.

(2002/C 205 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3556/01

by Arlette Laguiller (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 January 2002)

Subject: Firework explosion in Lanhelas (Portugal) on 2 June 2000

At Question Time on 5 July 2000, Commissioner Wallström undertook, on behalf of the Commission, to
examine the problem of fireworks and the transport of hazardous substances in the Community, and
stated: ‘A proposal for amendments to the Seveso II directive should be ready by the beginning of next
year, that is 2001. This can only be done when we have evaluated the experiences following the accident

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in Enschede as well as the accident in Romania. This process will be carried out in close cooperation with
the Member States, the European Parliament and other interested parties.’ (answer to question H-0548/00,
tabled by the author of the present question).

Since then, several other accidents have occurred in other localities in Portugal:

(cid:31) on Easter Monday, 16 April 2001, near Ponte de Lima, a bungled firework display killed one person

and injured several others, as well as causing significant material damage;

(cid:31) in July 2001, an explosion in a firework production unit near the town of Taipas killed five employees

and left several other people with serious injuries;

(cid:31) other firework-related accidents have included one in summer 2000 which led to a spectacular fire on

a yacht (in this case, fortunately, there were no victims).

The victims of the 2 June 2000 accident have not been properly compensated, even though virtually none
of them could be considered privileged members of society.

What action is the Commission taking to tighten the rules and safety standards governing this activity, for
both the workers who handle fireworks and those who live in the vicinity of firework displays? What
action is it taking to ensure that the victims are swiftly and properly compensated?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2002)

On 10 December 2001 the Commission adopted a proposal to amend the Seveso II Directive (1). This
proposal was the outcome of intense consultation, particularly concerning proposals for amendments
relating to explosives.

Following the Enschede accident, the Commission organised two seminars on explosives and pyrotechnic
substances. The first took place in Marseille on 27 September 2000 and the second at the Commission’s
Joint Research Centre at Ispra on 28 and 29 March 2001. The proceedings of these seminars are available
on the Internet site of the Major Accident Hazards Bureau (http://mahbsrv.jrc.it).

In addition, on 31 May 2001 the Commission held a public consultation meeting in Brussels in order to
gather opinions and comments on a preliminary draft proposal to amend the Seveso II Directive.

The Honourable Member will recall that this proposal was basically intended as a response to the Baia
Mare and Enschede accidents and to take account of scientific progress on carcinogenic and environ-
mentally hazardous substances.

At the meeting, the preliminary draft proposal and the conclusions of the different seminars and working
groups that had been looking into these matters were put to open debate.

Following this discussion it was seen appropriate to broaden the scope of the Seveso II Directive by
offering a better definition of pyrotechnic substances and explosives while lowering the qualifying
quantities for these substances.

Specifically, the draft amendment essentially seeks to adapt the classification criteria so as to take better
account of the danger associated with certain pyrotechnic substances.
it receives the backing of
Parliament and the Council it will make possible an appreciable improvement in the safety of workers and
people living near such dangerous sites.

If

As regards compensation for victims, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that this is a
matter for national penal and civil law.

(1) COM(2001) 624 final.