WRITTEN QUESTION E-1923/02 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission. Urban vehicles powered by compressed air.
Date: 2002-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, EU research policy, applied research, non-polluting vehicle, research project, urban transport

C 301 E/246

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

(2002/C 301 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1922/02

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Obesity in Europe

A recent article in the UK focused on the obesity problems sweeping through Europe’s population and
reported that Germany’s obese population will reportedly grow from 57 % in 2001 to 71 % in 2002 and
that weight problems will affect 69 % of adults in Spain and the Netherlands, 60 % of Swedes and 59 % of
Italians. The article also reported that France’s obese population will rise from 37 % to 50 % by 2006 while
the UK’s overweight population will increase from 48 % to 52 % in 2006.

Does the Commission have any statistical evidence on Member States’ obesity levels amongst a) children
under 16, and b) adults, that could confirm or deny the above reported figures?

Has the Commission initiated, or will the Commission initiate, any programmes aimed at combating this
substantial and growing problem?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2002)

The Commission has data on body weight and body height of the population of 15 years and over of the
Member States. These data are obtained through the National Health Surveys in the Member States and
through the European Community Household Panel (ECHP). Some data have also been obtained through
Eurobarometer (EB), which is the Commission’s opinion survey. Data on height and weight are then used
to obtain the Body Mass Index (BMI) or Quetelet’s index, which gives an indication of obesity.

The existing surveys have a threshold of age normally established at 15 years (in the EB) and 16 years (in
the ECHP). No data for people under 15 years is available.

Results (which are sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat General) show
that obesity (here defined as BMI > 27) is relatively common in EU (25,6 % of men and 21,3 % of women).
However, further information is needed to confirm or deny the indications suggested by the reports
mentioned by the Honourable Member, since the prevalence of obesity is depending on what classification
of obesity is used in different studies. The forthcoming public health programme, due to come into force
soon includes activities relating to improve collection of health data as well as action on health
determinants. Prevention of obesity will figure amongst the activities to be undertaken. The future Danish
Presidency of the Council has signalled its intention to arrange a broadly based conference on obesity this
autumn (cid:1) to address this serious public health problem.

(2002/C 301 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1923/02

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Urban vehicles powered by compressed air

(3 July 2002)

What representations has the Commission received about urban vehicles powered by compressed air, in
relation to their potential for zero pollution in towns?

Will the Commission agree to an official evaluation of the project to construct an air car/taxi at Carros,
France, in conjunction with the science and technology experts of the European Parliament?

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/247

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(9 August 2002)

A European research project entitled ‘Automotive Drive Using Pneumatic Batteries with oil/hydraulic
interface and fast refilling performances’ addressed this topic in 1997 under the contract number
BRST-CT97-5084. This project failed to reach the stated objectives, namely a zero emission pneumatic
driven vehicle.

The Commission is aware of the compressed air powered vehicles being developed in the South of France
by Mr Guy Negre and the company MDI. A presentation of Mr Negre’s work and vision for compressed air
vehicles was made to the Commission services as early as 1999. It has also been informed that the first
homologation test initially planned for the first half of 2000 has not taken place yet.

The Commission can only contribute to the costs of a demonstration project provided a consortium
submits a proposal
in line with the rules of participation stipulated in the Community Framework
Programme for Research and Development. All eligible proposals submitted in response to a call are
evaluated by the Commission according to clearly established rules guaranteeing impartiality and
transparency. The Commission is assisted in this task by independent experts, competent in the relevant
field and selected from a database drawn up as a result of a call for candidature. The first call for proposals
under the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development is expected to be
published in November 2002.

(2002/C 301 E/262)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1924/02

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE)
and Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Construction work on the Puxeiros-Tui motorway (Galicia)

On 7 March 2002 a complaint was forwarded to the Commission by the association of residents affected
by the work on the A9 motorway in Galicia, relating to the stretch Mos Porriño/Salceda de Caselas/Tui
(i.e. the interchange for Rebullón and the Portuguese border). One of the objections made was that the
construction work was not preceded by the mandatory environmental impact assessment. This has led to
major problems, especially with regard to the accumulation of river water, since the transversal drainage
tubes for the road surface have not been correctly positioned. The defective evacuation of these tubes is
causing flooding, spillage, sedimentation and other disturbances, with grave consequences for crops and
housing and for the lives of residents.

The complainants further state that the lack of an environmental impact assessment means that no account
has been taken of the considerable increase in noise pollution.

Can the Commission provide information on the action taken so far on the above complaint?

Does the Commission not consider that this motorway construction project falls within the scope of
Directive 97/11/EC (1) and that an environmental
impact assessment should therefore have been
mandatorily carried out?

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure the protection of the local inhabitants, who
could be affected by water pollution arising from sedimentation generated by the construction work, with
its inadequate drainage system? Does the Commission not consider that seepage and spillage risks exist
with respect to the aquatic environment, and that these risks could be in breach of the provisions of
Directive 80/68/EEC (2) on the protection of groundwater and Directive 76/464/EEC (3) on discharge of
dangerous substances into the aquatic environment?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(2) OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43.
(3) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.