WRITTEN QUESTION E-1054/02 by Generoso Andria (PPE-DE)and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Environmental impact of the La Marca waste dump.
Date: 2002-04-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Campania, environmental impact, exchange of information, public health, waste management, water pollution

C 277 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2002)

The Commission was unaware of the situation described by the Honourable Member.

The Commission has sent a letter to the Spanish authorities asking for their comments on the situation
reported and on their fulfilment of obligations under EU environmental law which may be applicable in
the case in point.

The information provided in the Honourable Member’s question is not enough to determine absolutely
whether the installation concerned is covered by Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996
concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC). In any case, Article 5 of the IPPC Directive
provides for transitional arrangements for existing installations (i.e.
into service before
those put
30 October 1999, the deadline for incorporation of the Directive into national law).

following infringement proceedings initiated by the Commission under Article 226 of the
Moreover,
EC Treaty, the Court of Justice ruled on 7 March 2002 (1) that Spain had failed to incorporate Directive 96/
61/EC into national law.

The installation referred to in the written question does not seem to be covered by Directive 2000/14/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors.

The deadline for the incorporation of Directive 2000/14/EC into national law expired on 3 July 2001.
Having received no notification of national implementing measures by that date, the Commission initiated
infringement proceedings against Spain. The Spanish authorities have since notified the Commission of
measures incorporating Directive 2000/14/EC into Spanish law, namely Royal Decree No 212/2002 of
22 February 2002, published in the Spanish Official Gazette No 52 of 1 March 2002.

At all events, the Commission will, as guardian of the Treaties, take the necessary measures to ensure that
Community law is observed in this instance.

(1)

Judgment in Case C-29/01.

(2002/C 277 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1054/02

by Generoso Andria (PPE-DE)
and Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Environmental impact of the ‘La Marca’ waste dump

This question concerns the fact that there used to be a waste dump in the village of Sardone di Giffoni
Valle Piana (Salerno) called ‘La Marca’, which was closed down in 1978 because there were no safety
measures (sealing it off from the soil, compacting of the waste mass, daily covering of the waste, the
application of substances to reduce harmful effects, devices for the elimination of biogas or the storage of
percolate in special tubs). The situation is unchanged and, in particular, the percolate leaking out of it is
absorbed by the surrounding agricultural
the river Picentino and by the
groundwater.

land in the vicinity of

Can the Commission check the documentation relating to this serious state of affairs, ascertain the
environmental impact and take all possible measures to eliminate the serious danger posed to public health
and farming in the area and the damage caused to the town where the International Film Festival for
Children and Young People is held?

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/141

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2002)

On the basis of the information given by the Honourable Members, the landfill situated in Sardone di
Giffoni Valle Piana (Salerno) could be relevant under Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on
waste (1), as modified by Council Directive 91/156/EC of 18 March 1991 (2), which has the objective of
protecting human health and the environment against harmful effects caused by the collection, transport,
treatment, storage and tipping of waste. In particular, under this Directive, Member States shall take
measures to ensure that waste is recovered and disposed of without endangering human health and
without using processes or methods which could harm the environment. Member States shall also take the
necessary measures to prohibit the abandonment, dumping or uncontrolled disposal of waste.

Not being aware of the situation described by the Honourable Members, the Commission will take the
appropriate steps in order to gather detailed information about it and to ensure the observance of
Community law, pursuant to Article 211 of the EC Treaty.

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

(2002/C 277 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/02

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Composition of the Independent Regulators Group

1.

Can the Commission inform me of the composition of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG)?

2. Will the Commission prevent
governments?

the IRG’s being expanded to include representatives of national

3.
To what extent would the participation of government representatives or officials from relevant
ministries violate the framework directive, and if it would, what can the Commission do to restrict
membership of the IRG purely to independent regulators?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2002)

The Independent Regulators Group (IRG) was established in 1997 as a group of European National
Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to share experiences and points of views among its
members on issues relating to the regulation and development of the European telecommunications
market.

The Commission neither is a member nor participates at its meetings.

In applying the new Regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services and more
particular the Framework Directive (1) it is envisaged establishing a European Regulators Group (ERG).