WRITTEN QUESTION E-3131/02 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Gas plant at Kirkop, Malta.
Date: 2002-11-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Malta, business location, environmental impact, environmental protection, gas industry, impact study, national implementing measure, noise protection, public health, residential area

C 155 E/94

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

The EU condemns vigorously all violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law in
Colombia and calls upon all parties to work for a negotiated solution to the conflict as the only way
to bring about a lasting peace.

The EU will fully support the efforts of the new Government to end impunity and recalls the
force of the law to bear on those responsible for the crimes
importance of bringing the full
committed.

The EU considers that special attention must be paid to social and economic reforms in order to
achieve a long lasting solution. The EU stands ready to assist the Government in planning and
implementing such reforms in addition to its continuing efforts to support initiatives aimed at
promoting peace and reconciliation.

The EU is regularly briefed on the working conditions of NGOs in Colombia. The NGOs make an
important contribution to alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and of promoting human rights and social
justice. The EU and Member States’ representations have established a close dialogue with the NGOs on the
ground and are also in active talks with the Colombian Government to promote NGO activities, which
helps to enhance their security. Last December, the Council adopted comprehensive conclusions on the
situation in Columbia in which, inter alia, it called upon the Colombian Government to recognise and
support the role of civil society and Non-Governmental Organisations as important stakeholders in
carrying out these reforms and moving towards a negotiated settlement of the internal armed conflict.

(2003/C 155 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3131/02

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 November 2002)

Subject: Gas plant at Kirkop, Malta

Multigas Ltd is the main industrial and medical gas producer in Malta which produces and distributes
oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, compressed air, dry ice, acetylene and hydrogen. It complements its
production range through imports of various other gases for various applications in the medical, industrial
and refrigeration fields.

Multigas Ltd is about to relocate its activities from the existing plant at Hamrun to a new production plant
to be built in Kirkop, at a distance of 70 metres from houses and dwellings. The new plant will also be
used for the storage of gas cylinders, acetylene and ammonia, a highly dangerous and explosive gas.

The company obtained a permit from the Maltese National Planning authority, based on an Environmental
Planning Statement (EPS). This EPS should be the equivalent of the Environmental Impact Assessment that
is needed for such a type of projects.

Does the European Commission consider an EPS as the equivalent of an EIA, as defined in EU
1.
legislation? If not, is the Commission prepared to suggest that the Maltese authorities apply the EIA to this
project?

2.
In relation to risk-evaluation and risk-assessment, does the new Multigas Ltd facility comply with
European legislation, especially Directive 96/82/EC (1) (Seveso II Directive) and the proposed amendment of
this Directive?

Does the Commission agree with me that the appropriate planned Multigas plant and the houses in

3.
Kirkop will be too close to each other?

4.
Does the Commission agree that the volume of noise (from the production plant), the increase in
traffic noise and the number of transport operations (including the transport of industrial and medical
gases) will be detrimental to the social atmosphere in the village of Kirkop?

Should the Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise (2002/49/

5.
EC (2)) be applicable to this project?

(1) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 189, 18.7.2002, p. 12.

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/95

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2003)

The authorisation delivered by the Planning Authority for the reallocation of this gas plant has been
1.
based on an Environmental Planning Statement (EPS) that has been issued in accordance with the Maltese
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) law in force at that time. In the absence of evidence that any
major breach of Community requirements during the authorisation process for this project have occurred
the Commission does not intend at this stage to make any suggestion or request to the Maltese authorities
regarding this project.

2.
Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major-accident hazards involving
dangerous substances (also called Seveso II Directive) aims at the prevention of major accidents involving
dangerous substances, and the limitation of their consequences for man and the environment. The
Directive applies to chemical plants and storage that hold quantities of dangerous substances beyond
certain threshold levels set out in the Directive. According to information received by the Maltese
authorities, the gas plant at Kirkop does not come under the Directive.

3.
In the absence of adequate detailed information concerning the location of the plant and the risks
involved, the Commission is not in a position to express any opinion as to whether the distance of the
plant from houses is appropriate or not. Community legislation in force does not establish any concrete
limits in this respect and decisions have to be made on a case by case basis.

4.
During the environmental assessment procedure of this project, potential negative impacts deriving
from noise (from operation of the plant and from road traffic generated) on the population have been
assessed. Conclusions are that no significant impacts will occur. In particular concerning noise from traffic
increase, the non-technical summary of the environmental impact study explains that ‘the site at Kirkop
has direct access to the arterial road. Hence, the traffic generated to and from the site will have no impact
on urbanised areas.’ Besides, the Works Department, now situated in the same industrial site, will move
and a net reduction in traffic will result. During operation, the study establishes that ‘provided suitable
safeguards are provided, the proposed development should not cause any noise nuisance to nearby Kirkop
residents’.

5. Malta would have to transpose and implement new Directive 2002/49/EC of the Parliament and of
the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, as any
other Member State after accession. Deadline for transposition is 18 July 2004. Malta would then have to
comply with obligations of this Directive that calls for the establishment of strategic noise maps and action
plans in the vicinity of major transport infrastructures and in agglomerations with more than 250 000
inhabitants in a first phase (2007-2008), and more than 100 000 inhabitants in a second phase (2012-
2013).

(2003/C 155 E/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3134/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(4 November 2002)

Subject: Smog-related deaths

According to data from the World Health Organisation, each year at least three million deaths occur due
to atmospheric pollution in cities. According to another Italian study, in the eight largest cities dust and
gas claim 3 500 victims a year, whereas in Europe the figure rises to 100 000. The causes lie mainly in
cars and other modes of transport, which emit between 55 and 70 % of harmful substances, while the rest
comes from domestic heating and industrial discharges.