WRITTEN QUESTION P-1521/02 by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Environmental effects of the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area.
Date: 2002-05-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law, Epirus, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, power plant

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/169

(2002/C 301 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1521/02

by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 May 2002)

Subject: Environmental effects of the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area

In its answer to my question P-3174/01 (13 November 2001) (1) concerning the environmental effects of
the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area, the Commission states that it would send a
letter to the Greek authorities requesting information, in the light of which it would examine the alleged
incompatibility of the projects with a number of Community provisions.

What was the Greek authorities’ answer and what was the Commission’s assessment thereof?

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 207.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 2002)

On the basis of the questions raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission opened a file on the
matter to determine whether the work in question conforms with Community environment legislation.

The Commission contacted the Greek authorities and asked for information on conformity with Council
Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment (1), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2), and on
the account taken of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats
and of wild fauna and flora (3) when the works were planned and approved.

The file was discussed at the last meeting between the Commission and the Greek authorities on the
application of Community environment legislation in Greece (the so-called package meeting) which took
place in February 2002.

At the meeting, the Greek authorities claimed that a decision approving the environmental conditions has
been adopted for only one low-capacity hydroelectric plant at Anilio. According to the Greek authorities,
there are no plans to construct a hydroelectric plant at Vovoussa, as no preliminary decision on location
or environmental impact assessment has been submitted to the national authorities. They added that the
national authorities had received a preliminary decision on location for a project to build a hydroelectric
plant at Agios Nikolaos on the Arachthos river near Dafnoti commune, and that this was currently under
consideration.

The Greek authorities replied formally by letter to the Greek Permanent Representation to the European
Union. The letter confirms the information given at the package meeting and includes numerous annexes.
The Commission is currently examining the official response of the Greek authorities before deciding what
further steps to take in this matter.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 301 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1523/02

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Beef self-sufficiency in the EU

Can the Commission state what is the level of self-sufficiency of beef in the EU and what is being done
with any surplus production?