WRITTEN QUESTION E-0050/02 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE), Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)and Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission. Objections to the opening of a civilian airport.
Date: 2002-01-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, airport, application of EU law, environmental impact, frontier region, project evaluation

C 172 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

The Commission is fully aware that the use of non-human primates in research, and in particular great
apes, is a sensitive matter, which raises concerns for all citizens. All efforts are therefore made by the
Commission to reduce, replace and refine the use of animals in research.

in the annex of

the Decision No 182/1999/EC of

the Council of
Firstly,
22 December 1998 concerning the fifth framework programme of
research,
technological development and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002) (1), concerning the Quality of Life
Programme, it is specified that research involving animals is restricted under this programme with regard
to animal experiments and tests on animals, which should, when ever possible, be replaced with in vitro or
other alternative methods. An obligation is placed on all applicants, including the BPRC to describe the
procedures adopted to respect the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) and to
protect the welfare of animals.

the Parliament and of

the Community for

Secondly, an ethical review has been implemented systematically under the Quality of Life programme for
proposals dealing with sensitive issues such as the use of non-human primates. The ethical review ensures
among others that all research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Council Directive
86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of
laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other
scientific purposes (2). Furthermore, participants in research projects must seek the approval of the relevant
national authorising bodies prior to the start of the research activities. The Biomedical Research Primate
Centre (BPRC), which is situated in the Union but independent of the Community, has engaged itself
contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements. The BPRC has in July 2001 confirmed to
the Commission that it has the permission at local level to conduct biomedical research with non-human
primates. It has also confirmed that several
improvements have been made, for instance, building of
outdoor facilities, which support the social housing of macaques. Plans for rehousing of the chimpanzees’
colony of the BPRC is currently under preparation.

Thirdly, the Commission is currently supporting more than 20 research projects aiming at developing in
vitro alternatives to animal experiments. Furthermore, the Commission created in 1991 the European
Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). The main task of ECVAM is the validation of
alternative methods,
including in vitro methods. Such methods can then be made available by the
Commission for regulatory purposes.

(1) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.
(2) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(2002/C 172 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0050/02

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE), Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)
and Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(24 January 2002)

Subject: Objections to the opening of a civilian airport

The Düsseldorf Bezirksregierung (district authority) in Germany has granted permission to the company
Flughafen Niederrhein GmbH to convert the former Laarbruch military airfield, situated two kilometres
from the Netherlands-German border in Germany, for use as a civilian airport. A number of communities
living in nearby border areas of the Netherlands and Germany have lodged objections to the decision.

Can the Commission confirm that

1.
the granting of the aforementioned authorisation does not
contravene European legislation on environmental impact assessment applying in this area, the birds and
habitat directives and designated quiet areas?

2. What steps does the Commission intend to take if the authorisation in fact contravenes European
legislation in force?

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/135

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2499/01 by
Mr Meijer (1).

The Commission is currently investigating whether Community law has been complied with in this case.
The German Government has been asked to provide information about the procedure applied in this case
with a view to the potential transboundary effects of the project and to take a position on the charges. The
answer of the German authorities will provide the information needed to come to conclusions with regard
to the compliance with applicable Community law in this case.

The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to ensure the observance of Community law.

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 21.

(2002/C 172 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0058/02

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 January 2002)

Subject: Palalvo area plan and Caorle lagoon

A major threat is currently hanging over a part of the eastern Veneto coastline which is of exceptional
environmental importance, with particular reference to Caorle lagoon and the Foce Tagliamento biotope in
the municipalities of Caorle and S. Michele al Tagliamento in the Province of Venice.

The Veneto Regional Council is currently in the process of adopting the Palalvo area plan (area plan for
the eastern Veneto lagoons and coastline). This is claimed to be an environmental plan aimed at
involves the
safeguarding and ensuring sustainable management of
construction of a huge complex of tourist ports (with around 7 000 new moorings) and buildings (around
4 million square metres of floorspace).

the lagoon areas, but

in fact

The work on the ports and buildings is governed by ‘master plans’ and ‘executive plans’. The former are
not directly applicable but must
the
municipalities concerned, which are, however, obliged to comply with them. The executive plans are
directly applicable with Palalvo approval, without any changes needing to be made to overall development
plans. No environmental impact assessments of the SCI and SPA sites affected have yet been carried out.

first be incorporated into the overall development plans of

The plan runs counter to Community Directives 92/43/EEC (1) (habitats) and 79/409/EEC (2) (wild birds) in
that the Caorle lagoon area has been designated a site of Community importance (SCI) and a special
protection area (SPA) within the meaning of these directives (SCI IT 3250009 Laguna di Caorle; SCI
IT 3250014 Foce del Tagliamento and Valli Arginate di Bibione; and SPA IT 3250020 Valle Vecchia di
Caorle).

Given the above, would the Commission state:

G whether it is aware of this situation;

G how it intends to protect the SCI and SPA sites affected by the tourist development plans;

G and whether Community legislation on environmental

impact assessments (97/11/EC (3)) has been

complied with in this instance?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.