WRITTEN QUESTION E-3494/01 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Rubbish dump in Villanueva del Carnero (León, Spain).
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Castile-Leon, European Commission, application of EU law, industrial pollution, national implementing measure, plastics industry, waste management

C 160 E/124

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

What view does the Commission take regarding the achievement of the objectives laid down in the
abovementioned European Parliament resolution? Is it intending to take any specific action in order to
solve the problems concerning the inadequate funding and the lack of clearer rules on the use of Catalan
within the EU institutions? Will the Commission say whether or not Catalan has been used at the Court of
Justice?

(1) OJ C 19, 28.1.1991, p. 42.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2002)

At this juncture, the Commission can give the following answers:

- it has not yet made an overall evaluation of the implementation of the resolution in question;

- the Commission’s office in Barcelona provides the public with information in Catalan, as the
Honourable Member himself states. The Commission is not planning to take additional measures with
regard to the issue of information material;

- it will contact the Court of Justice and will give the Honourable Member a supplementary answer.

(2002/C 160 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3494/01

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

Subject: Rubbish dump in Villanueva del Carnero (León, Spain)

(8 January 2002)

The RMDSA (Recuperación de Materiales Diversas, SA) company began operating in the Castilla y León
region of Spain in March 2000, since when it has been disposing of tonnes of waste polyethylene, PVC
and powdered metal on land located in Villanueva del Carnero (Santovenia de la Valdoncina district, León,
Spain) without permission from the local authorities and, naturally, without having had the requisite
environmental impact study carried out.

The Plataforma Valle de Conforcos has lodged a complaint against an alleged contravention of
environment law and has called for a halt to any further ground, air and water pollution in the affected
area.

The company concerned now wishes to introduce a heat-treatment process for the disposal of tyres, for
which purpose it has carried out an environmental impact study that reveals a number of irregularities. It
is also feared that, at some time in the future, the plastics containing PVC which are currently dumped will
be incinerated.

Directive 75/442/EEC (1) (as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC (2)) on waste requires the Member States to
take the action necessary to ensure that waste is disposed of without danger to human health and without
the use of any procedure or method which could damage the environment.

In the Commission’s view, what action should be taken in order to ensure compliance with Community
law in this area and in particular with Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and Directive 85/57/EEC (3) on
environmental impact assessment?

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39.
(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32.
(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/125

Answer given by Ms Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2002)

The Commission is not aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member.

It should be noted that waste disposal is currently regulated by Council Directive 75/442/EEC (1) of 15 July
1975 on waste, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC (2) of 18 March 1991.

Article 4 of the above-mentioned Directive provides that Member States shall take the necessary measures
to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using
processes or methods which could harm the environment, and in particular:

- without risk to water, air, soil and plants and animals,

- without causing a nuisance through noise or odours,

- without adversely affecting the countryside or places of special interest.

Under Article 9 of Directive 75/442/EEC, any establishment or undertaking which carries out disposal
operations must obtain a permit from the competent authority.

As regards Council Directive 97/11/EC (3) of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the
assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, installations for the
incineration and chemical treatment of non-hazardous waste with a capacity exceeding 100 tonnes per day
are referred to in Annex I to the Directive, and other waste disposal installations are referred to in Annex
II.

In any event, as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will take the necessary measures to ensure
compliance with Community law in this case.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2002/C 160 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3499/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Consequences of the failure to conclude a fisheries agreement with Morocco

In March 2001, the negotiations on a fisheries agreement between the EU and Morocco were broken off.
The European Union responded by providing support for Spanish fishermen. The southern Spanish village
of Barbate symbolised their plight, being home to no fewer than 4 000 fishermen who were affected. Until
the end of 2001, they will receive € 900 in aid from the EU. It has been suggested that investing in
tourism could be one solution. Press reports refer to an increase in racism directed against Moroccan
fellow-citizens in the region. At the same time, many ex-fishermen are now said to be using their boats to
smuggle drugs.

1.

2.

3.

How many of the 4 000 fishermen affected have since found new jobs?

Has the Commission also invested structurally in tourism?

Is the Commission aware of an increase in racism in the region?

Is the Commission aware of an increase in drugs transactions in the region? Are unemployed

4.
fishermen involved?

5. Will the Commission resume talks with Morocco with the aim of improving the situation in southern
Spain?