WRITTEN QUESTION P-1095/02 by Luigi Cocilovo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Failure to comply with European directives on environmental impact assessment.
Date: 2002-04-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, infringement procedure (EU), road building

C 309 E/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

(2002/C 309 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1092/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: ACP-EU Local Government Platform

How does the Commission intend to promote and support the work of the ACP-EU Local Government
Platform, which includes the Commonwealth Local Government Forum?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2002)

The Commission attaches great importance to the role of local governments as actors of cooperation as
defined in Article 6 of the Cotonou Agreement. It is crucial both in terms of democracy and governance
and in terms of sustainability.

The Commission has followed closely the organization and structuring of the African, Caribbean and
Pacific States-Union’s (ACP-EU) Local Government Platform and participated in a seminar organized by the
Platform on 14 March 2002 in Brussels to jointly explore ways of cooperation. During the seminar the
Commission encouraged the Platform to open up channels of communication on issues of institutional
development and governance.

In terms of financial support, the ACP-EU Local Government Platform has possibilities to access funds
from the European Development Fund under which significant support has already been provided to the
decentralization of government facilities and the following two budget lines:

(cid:1) the non-governmental organisation co-financing budget line B6-7000, whose operation is based on
calls for proposals. The closing date for the interest call for proposals was 15 April 2002. A new call
for proposals will be published with a deadline planned for November 2002.

(cid:1) the ‘’Decentralised Cooperation’ budget line, B7-6002, a call for proposals for which will be published

before July 2002.

Financial support has already been provided to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum:

(cid:1) In 1999, a contract was signed for a project called ‘Pacific local government building project’ in Papua
New Guinea, Solomon islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Kiribati, with a Community contribution of
EUR 300 000, for a period of 30 months. The project should end on 30 June 2002.

(cid:1) In May 2000, a contract was signed for a project called ‘Local government regional information centre
in Republic of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia,
(cid:1) phase 2’
Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi, with a Community contribution of EUR 326 813, for a period of
27 months, ending in August 2002.

(2002/C 309 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1095/02

by Luigi Cocilovo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 April 2002)

Subject: Failure to comply with European directives on environmental impact assessment

In the municipalities of San Vendemiano, Conegliano, San Pietro di Feletto and Susegana, in the province
of Treviso, there is a preliminary project to build a road to be called the Tangenziale sud, with a total
length of approximately 10 kilometres.

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EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/81

Because of its length, type and location the overall project for this road is subject to the Italian law on
environmental impact assessment implementing Directive 85/33/EEC (1), Annex II, as amended by Directive
97/11/EC (2).

Despite the substantial impact of the road, which will be located near densely populated areas and areas
important for wildlife, no assessment of its environmental impact has been carried out.

My previous Written Question, P-1666/01 (3), on the subject was answered by Mrs Wallström, on behalf of
the Commission, on 10 July 2001.

The final project for the ‘first stretch’ of the Tangenziale sud (the section between the SP47 and exit A27),
approximately 2.8 km long, was approved at a service conference on 21 March 2002.

The local bodies concerned are proceeding with the planning and approval of the project section by
section, without considering the road as a whole, solely in order to prevent its being subject to legislation
on environmental assessment and safeguards.

No alternative to the project has ever been considered, nor the possibility of making the nearby six-lane
motorway toll-free, since with the addition of new sliproads it could absorb the province’s traffic.

What steps will the Commission take to ensure compliance with Community legislation on environmental
impact assessment in the face of attempts to circumvent it?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(3) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 174.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

The Commission has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law, in the light of the
powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty. As the guardian of the EC Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all
necessary measures, including infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to
ensure the observance of Community law.

With reference to the specific situation described by the Honourable Member in his Written Question
P-1666/01, the Commission opened an own initiative case (2001/2187) and sent the Italian authorities
two letters requesting information and observations on the issue. They have not yet replied to these letters.
In case of persistent absence of reply, the Commission might open an infringement procedure against Italy
for lack of co-operation in the achievement of the Community’s tasks (Article 10 of the EC treaty).

The additional
assessment of the case.

information given in the present written question will be taken into account in the

(2002/C 309 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1100/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: Bycatch of dolphins and other cetaceans in European waters, especially that accruing as a result of

pelagic trawling

The UK Government has suggested that up to 50 dolphins a day are being caught in the European bass
fishery, with an unknown number being caught in other pelagic fisheries in the English Channel and Bay