WRITTEN QUESTION E-0301/02 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Urban environment policy in Greece.
Date: 2002-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, air quality, environmental monitoring, environmental policy, environmental protection, exchange of information, pollution control measures, urban area

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/177

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2002)

The Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in the Netherlands is to the knowledge of the Commission
the only institution in the Community which currently conducts experiments involving chimpanzees.

In 1998 the Community became Party to the Council of Europe Convention, European Treaty Series (ETS)
123 (31 March 1986) for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific
purposes. The implementing tool for the Convention is 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 (1). Appendix A of
the Convention contains guidelines for the housing and care of laboratory animals. This appendix is
transformed into Annex 2 of the Directive.

Under the auspices of the Council of Europe, a Working Party is currently reviewing Appendix A of the
Convention concerning guidelines for the housing and care of
laboratory animals. This revision is
scheduled to be finalised and ready for adoption in 2002.

All research in Europe involving the use of animals is subject to the Directive 86/609/EEC. The Member
States have responsibility to enforce this. However, it has become clear that Directive 86/609/EEC does not
provide sufficient controls to safeguard the welfare of non-human primates. Therefore the Commission has
taken stock of the current situation. Discussions with the Member States, industry and non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) in the field of animal welfare have already started on the issues where further
attention and controls are needed.

the Parliament and Council of 22 December 1998
In the annex of Decision No 182/1999/EC of
concerning the fifth framework programme of the Community for research, technological development
and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002) (2), 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 to describe the procedures adopted to respect the principles of the
3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) and to protect the welfare of animals.

An ethical review has been implemented systematically under the fifth Framework Programme for
proposals dealing with issues such as the use of non-human primates. The ethical review ensures that all
research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Directive 86/609/CEE. It takes account of the
overall benefit of the research proposed in relation to the possible costs in terms of animal suffering.
Furthermore, participants in research projects must seek the approval of the relevant national authorising
bodies prior to the start of the research activities.

In July 2001, the BPRC has informed the Commission that all research protocols are judged by a scientific
committee. Prior to experimentation each protocol must be reviewed by an animal ethical committee
(DEC). The DEC-BPRC is officially recognised by the Dutch authorities. The DEC ensures among others
that no alternative methods are available.

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

(2002/C 172 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0301/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2002)

Subject: Urban environment policy in Greece

According to a survey by the National Environment and Sustainable Development Centre, the level of
atmospheric emissions per unit of gross national product in Greece exceeds the EU average while
according to the report, carbon dioxide emissions have tripled.

C 172 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

Does the Commission have information concerning the level of atmospheric emissions for each

1.
Member State of the EU?

2.

Is it satisfied by urban environment policy in Greece and if not what are the problems?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2002)

The Commission has a number of ways of accessing emission data from Member States, both of
‘conventional’ air pollutants (such as sulphur and nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) and
greenhouse gases. Both the Community and Member States are parties to international conventions such as
the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air
Pollution and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which oblige countries to
report their emissions data. The European Environment Agency plays an important role in collecting and
processing the data for the Community.

Recently adopted instruments at Community level such as Directive 2001/81/EC of the Parliament and of
the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants (1) and
the Polluting Emissions Register under Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning
integrated pollution prevention and control (2) will provide further mechanisms for obtaining emissions
data.

As far as the urban environment is concerned, the Commission has a number of measures in place that
address the quality of the urban environment. These include programmes and legislation in areas, such as
air, water, waste, transport and spatial development. In this respect, progress with regard to the quality of
the urban environment is frequently assessed in all Member States and where legislation is not satisfactorily
complied with, appropriate action is taken. In addition, as required by the 6th Environment Action
Programme, the Commission will be producing a thematic strategy on the urban environment. This will
further serve to support action to monitor, manage and improve urban environments in all Member States,
including Greece.

Greece faces particular problems in relation to the quality of the urban environment in areas such as water
treatment, air pollution, traffic control and waste management. The Commission is keen to see that these
are addressed and will ensure that current obligations are met and that, where appropriate, future measures
address specific problems and circumstances.

(1) OJ L 309, 27.11.2001.
(2) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(2002/C 172 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0303/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 February 2002)

Subject: Pan-European system of animal traceability

The European Commission has spent EUR 6 million under the Telematics Application Programme
(1994-1998) to investigate the potential for a pan-European integrated veterinary surveillance system.
Given that the national animal traceability systems are of varying quality and capability and are not
integrated with payment and anti-fraud systems, that poor traceability was a crucial factor in the spread of