WRITTEN QUESTION P-3645/01 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Nitrogen oxide emissions in Spain.
Date: 2002-01-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Spain, air quality, application of EU law, chemical process, industrial pollution, type of business

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/13

On 27 December 2001, the Council adopted Common Position 2001/931/CFSP containing the first such
list of persons, groups and entities against whom the measures should be applied, including in particular
the Continuity Irish Republican Army, the Real IRA, UFF, Revolutionary Organisation 17 November and
ETA. The Member States will provide each other with the widest possible assistance, through police and
judicial co-operation, to prevent and combat terrorist acts.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 (1)
implements the Common Position by imposing specific
restrictive measures of a financial nature, on persons, groups and entities with a view to combating
terrorism. Council Decision 2001/927/EC (1)
lists the persons, groups and entities against whom the
measures should be applied, but the groups and entities referred to above are not included therein.

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(2002/C 277 E/011)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3645/01

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Nitrogen oxide emissions in Spain

(7 January 2002)

The environmental group ‘Ecologists in Action’ recently condemned the fact that in 2000 Spain exceeded
the nitrogen dioxide (NOX) emission limits for large-scale old power plants (existing prior to 1988) laid
down in Directive 88/609/EEC (1). The directive stipulated that, from 1988 onwards, emissions from such
plants in Spain should not exceed 277 000 tonnes.

Is the Commission aware of these emission levels? What will it do to ensure that Community legislation on
this matter is observed?

(1) OJ L 336, 7.12.1988, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Spain has submitted the following information regarding the emissions of nitrogen oxides from ‘existing’
large combustion plants:

Year

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

(tonnes)

Emissions from ‘existing’ large combustion
plants

238 292

241 312

253 232

245 223

240 616

255 256

216 444

In the case of Spain, the ceilings in Annex II of Council Directive 88/609/EEC of 24 November 1988 on
the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants, for emissions of
nitrogen oxides below which emissions are capped are 368 000 tonnes for 1993 and 277 000 tonnes for
1998. Emissions of nitrogen oxides from this category of plants will be reduced further as a result of the
recently adopted directive on large combustion plants, Directive 2001/80/EC of the Parliament and of the

C 277 E/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Council of 23 October 2001 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large
combustion plants (1). This new directive will require that more stringent environmental standards apply to
existing plants from 1 January 2008. The Commission is enquiring with the Spanish authorities regarding
more recent emission data and will inform the Honourable Member of its findings (2).

(1) OJ L 309, 27.11.2001.
(2)

‘existing’ plants are defined as those for which the original construction licence or,
procedure, the original operating licence was granted before 1 July 1987.

in the absence of such a

(2002/C 277 E/012)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3649/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(14 January 2002)

Subject: Terrorism, Somalia and information

Recent events connected with the fight against terrorism have identified Somalia as one of the countries in
which powerful groups linked to Islamic fundamentalism operate, receiving funding, weapons and
instructors to organise terrorist training camps.

In view of this, consideration has been given to possible military intervention to block any attempt to
carry out terrorist action based in Somalia.

In a situation such as this and in order to give the population information which may help to strengthen
democracy and combat fundamentalism, can the Commission say whether:

B it does not consider it useful and appropriate to devise and bring into operation an independent

information network in Somali, in order to provide the population with accurate information;

B it does not consider, in the current situation, that accurate information may help to restore peace and
introduce a truly democratic system with the consensus of the population of various ethnic groups
and regions?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2002)

The Commission believes that accurate information is best provided by information professionals.
Recently, the Commission contributed to the financing of specific training initiatives for Somalia in this
area in close co-operation with the BBC World Service.

The main objective of the project was a journalists’ training programme covering technical as well as
editorial, writing and production skills.
the training
programme sought to enable Somali journalists to produce material which would help to build a strong
pluralistic society. A total of 83 Somali print, radio and TV journalists attended the BBC training courses
and workshops held in different parts of Somalia.

In developing and strengthening those skills,

Should the conditions allow the development of a democratic information practice in Somalia, the
Commission could envisage co-operating with recognised organisations in order to promote further
actions aimed at strengthening the information capabilities in Somalia.

It has to be stressed that adequate information is not enough to allow the good functioning of a
democratic political system. In the case of Somalia most of the population is illiterate and public opinion is
dominated by clan-based and local interests. Traditional and religious rulers therefore play an important
role as opinion leaders. Furthermore, dissemination of information throughout Somalia remains limited by
high investment costs, logistic problems and war.