WRITTEN QUESTION E-0803/02 by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission. Scottish environmental infringement record.
Date: 2002-03-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Scotland, United Kingdom, environmental law, infringement of EU law, infringement procedure (EU)

C 301 E/56

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

2000-2006 in the RDPD framework. The table sent to the Honourable Member gives an overview of the
amounts paid by the EAGGF and certain result indicators. The 2000-2006 RDPD includes four new agri-
environmental management measures in Natura 2000 areas: Delta Nestou-Keramoti, Vistonida, Volvi-
Koroneia and Dasos Dadias Evrou. These have not yet begun to operate.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the

requirements of protection of the environment and maintenance of the countryside, OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the EAGGF and amending

and repealing certain Regulations, OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 301 E/060)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0803/02

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission

(20 March 2002)

Subject: Scottish environmental infringement record

Following the visit by the Commissioner for the Environment to Scotland in September 2001 there has
been a prolonged debate on the Scottish environmental infringement record.

Could the Commission outline how many environmental cases are currently open in relation to Scotland
and could the Commission also indicate how Scotland’s record in this regard compares with other areas?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2002)

It should be noted at the outset that infringement proceedings initiated by the Commission pursuant to
Article 226 of the EC Treaty, are addressed to the central authorities of a Member State, rather than
particular authorities at regional or local level of that Member State. Nevertheless, the Commission is aware
that
there has been a debate within Scotland over recent months on the Scottish environmental
infringement record.

It is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown of the number of environmental cases which are
currently open with regard to Scotland. Although information concerning infringement proceedings
against Member States is collated by the Commission and set out in an annual report, the data relate to the
national situation of Member States without a regional or local breakdown. It is clear, however, that the
comparatively limited number of cases concerning Scotland are largely in the areas of nature protection,
the water sector, the waste sector and environmental impact assessment. The latest Annual Report on
monitoring the application of Community law (2000) (1), confirms that the United Kingdom (and Scotland)
shares with several Member States the fact that these are commonly sectors in which environmental
infringement procedures are ongoing.

In so far as information about how Scotland’s record compares with other areas, for the reason set out
above the Commission is unable to provide a comparative regional breakdown. However, having regard to
infringement proceedings currently involving other Member States where there is responsibility at sub-
Member State level for implementation of Community environmental law obligations, the Commission
does not consider that the comparative volume of cases involving Scotland is particularly noteworthy.

(1) COM(2001) 309 final, Volume I.