WRITTEN QUESTION E-1215/02 by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Situation of pomace oil.
Date: 2002-04-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Spain, State aid, financial loss, infringement procedure (EU), olive oil, plant disease

C 277 E/160

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

No limits have been placed on the expansion of this phenomenon (except for a number of regional laws),
because of the lack of interest on the part of the bodies responsible both in Italy and the rest of Europe.

What measures will the Commission take to introduce specific and uniform controls on this type of
pollution?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 June 2002)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Members to its replies given to a number of written
questions on the issue of light pollution: written questions E-0514/96 by Mr Teverson (1), E-2789/98 by
Mr Watson (2) and E-3301/00 by Mr McNally (3).

The environmental and health impacts of light pollution due to excessive and badly designed outdoor
lighting still have to be demonstrated and consequently the Commission is not considering making
proposals for action at Union level in this area. We also need to bear in mind that the design and intensity
of outdoor lighting are in general the responsibility of national or even local authorities which have to take
into account other elements such as safety and security factors when authorising such installations.

However, the Commission would agree with the Honourable Members that wherever possible we should
reduce wasteful energy uses and improve the energy efficiency of products and equipment,
including
outdoor lighting through initiatives at both Union and national
level. Such initiatives can make an
important contribution to meeting the Union’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under
the Kyoto Protocol.

The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) was set up in co-operation with stakeholders and
Member States experts to identify concrete policy measures that can contribute to meeting our climate
change objectives. The supply and use of energy is of course to the fore in the ECCP, including more
efficient use of lighting. In this respect the recent proposal for a Directive on the energy performance of
buildings (4) that was supported by the ECCP is of particular importance since one of its objectives is to
promote energy efficiency in buildings, including lighting.

There are also on-going initiatives such as the Green Light Programme, launched on 7 February 2000 by
the Commission’s Directorate General Energy and Transport. This is a voluntary pollution prevention
initiative encouraging non-residential electricity consumers to commit towards the Commission as regards
installing energy-efficient lighting technologies in their facilities. Its objectives are to reduce the energy
consumption from indoor and outdoor lighting throughout Europe, thus reducing polluting emissions and
limiting the global warming and to improve the quality of visual conditions while saving money.

(1) OJ C 217, 26.7.1996.
(2) OJ C 96, 8.4.1999.
(3) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001.
(4) OJ C 213 E, 31.7.2001.

(2002/C 277 E/183)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1215/02

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 April 2002)

Subject: Situation of pomace oil

The food-poisoning tragedy caused by the alfa-benzopyrene contamination of Spanish pomace oil caused
severe losses both to the pomace industries affected by that contamination and those which were not. In
order to offset these losses and pull the sector out of crisis, the Spanish Government granted state aid to
the industry. The Commission now has this aid in its sights.

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/161

What stage have the proceedings now reached, and when did the Spanish Government notify the
Commission of this aid?

What analysis is the Commission carrying out in order to assess its compatibility with the rules laid down
in the Treaty with regard to state aids?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2002)

By letter of 14 March 2002 the Commission informed Spain of its decision to initiate the procedure laid
down in Article 88 of the EC Treaty with regard to a scheme of aid granted by Spain to support the olive-
residue oil extracting, refining and bottling industries.

The aid was notified to the Commission by letter of 4 January 2002 in response to a Commission request
for information.

At this stage of the procedure, the Commission considers that B on the basis of the information available
B the aid constitutes state aid which is intended to improve the industries’ financial situation, but which in
no way contributes to their development. Consequently, the aid could constitute operating aid which is
incompatible with the common market. The aid could also be in breach of Community rules (common
organisation of the market).

Initiating the formal examination procedure will enable the Member State concerned and third parties to
present their comments. The Commission will then decide whether the aid is compatible with the proper
functioning of the common market.

(2002/C 277 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1222/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(29 April 2002)

Subject: The removal of mercury amalgam fillings

Mercury amalgam poisoning is caused by the mercury metal in fillings, and has been linked to a number
of different illnesses and diseases,
including Alzheimer’s, and problems to the heart, the neurological
system and the immune system.

The Swedish Government banned the use of amalgam fillings in Sweden and since 1991 has paid 70 % of
the cost of removing amalgam fillings from Swedish people.

Germany has warned certain groups of people against using dental amalgam.

Could the Commission indicate if there is currently any EU legislation concerning the removal of mercury
amalgam fillings, and whether there is currently any research being done on this subject?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2002)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that there is no Community legislation in reference to
the removal of amalgam fillings and that it is not systematically informed of Member States’ initiatives in
this area. As regards research activities, the Commission refers to the report (1)
‘Dental Amalgam B
A report with reference to the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC (2) from an Ad Hoc Working Group
mandated by DGIII of the European Commission 1998’.