WRITTEN QUESTION E-3513/02 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Violation of Community environmental legislation by Greece.
Date: 2002-12-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, application of EU law, environmental law, infringement of EU law

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/161

(2003/C 155 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3503/02

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Wild birds caught in ‘long-line’ fishing lines

Would the Commission inform me as to what action they are taking to ensure that fishing boats in the EU
are taking steps to prevent seabirds becoming caught when they are ‘long-lining’?

Hundreds of thousands of seabirds are caught in this way each year and die a cruel death.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2003)

The Commission is aware of the problem and shares the concern of the Honourable Member.

It is a particular problem in the Southern Hemisphere, where seabirds are protected by the Commission for
the Conservation of Antarctic Maríne Living Resources,
(CCAMLR) rules, transcribed in Community
legislation (1).

Since 1998, CCAMLR has adopted new technical measures concerning the reduction of the incidental
mortality of seabirds and marine mammals. In July 2002, the Commission presented a proposal for a
Council Regulation (2), bringing together in a single instrument all the provisions concerning technical
measures applying to fishing by Community vessels in the Convention area. Articles 7 and 8 of the
proposed regulation refer specifically to incidental mortality of seabirds in the course of longline and trawl
fishing.

Furthermore, one of
the four International Plans of Action (IPOA), under Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), aims to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries; this is a voluntary
instrument within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, which provides further
protection through national schemes.

The Commission is aware of the need to improve the present situation. Before the end of 2003, it intends
to present legislative proposals to increase seabirds protection in Union waters, as envisaged in the Action
Plan (3).

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 66/98 of 18 December 1997 laying down certain conservation and control measures
applicable to fishing activities in the Antarctic and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2113/96, Article 14 paragraph 3
and Annex 4 (cid:1) OJ L 6, 10.1.1998.

(2) COM(2002) 355 final.
(3) COM(2002) 186 final.

(2003/C 155 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3513/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Violation of Community environmental legislation by Greece

It has been reported that a delegation from the Environment Directorate-General arrived on a visit to
Greece on 15 November to examine violations of Community environmental legislation by Greece.

Will the Commission say which cases of violations of Community legislation the above delegation has
examined, what conclusions it has reached and what measures the Commission intends to take to ensure
that Greece complies with Community legislation?

C 155 E/162

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

A delegation from the Directorate-General for the Environment visited Greece on 15 November 2002 in
the framework of the ‘package’ meetings held between the Commission and the national authorities to
examine the application of Community legislation by the Member States. The purpose of these meetings
was to discuss and clarify matters relating to Community environmental legislation.

The agenda for the meeting covered a total of 21 complaints, 10 of which were concerned with
Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment (1), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC (2), 10 were concerned with nature conservation
(Directive 79/409/EEC (3) and 92/43/EEC (4)) and 1 concerned drinking water (Directive 80/778/EEC) (5).
It should be noted that the agenda did not include any matters relating to infringements.

The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere. The Greek authorities took account of
the
Commission’s observations and demonstrated a willingness to find solutions to the questions and problems
raised. The information obtained during the meeting helped to shed light on all the complaints and will, as
far as most of the complaints are concerned, be transmitted to the Commission in writing.

in particular how to categorise them. However,

Analysis of this information will enable the Commission to decide what action to take on the various
complaints,
if an infringement of Community
environmental legislation is found, the Commission will not hesitate to take the appropriate measures,
including opening infringement procedures as provided for in Article 226 of the Treaty establishing the
European Community, in order to ensure that Community law is applied properly.

(1) Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private

projects on the environment (cid:1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of

certain public and private projects on the environment (cid:1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(3) Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (cid:1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(4) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (cid:1)

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(5) Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (cid:1)

OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.

(2003/C 155 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3516/02

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 December 2002)

Subject: Proposed airport on the North Kent marshes, UK

Is the Commission concerned about the UK Government’s proposal (1) for a new airport on the North Kent
marshes, centred on Cliffe, as one of its options for infrastructure expansion in South East England, given
the direct impact on the Thames Estuary and Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, one
of the most important sites for waterfowl in the UK?

The Cliffe option, if adopted, would spell disaster for the birds and other wildlife of the Thames estuary.
It could be the largest ever loss of wildlife habitat and countryside to a single development.

Given that SPAs are protection areas designated under the Wild Birds Directive and Habitats Directive,
what action has the Commission taken vis-à-vis the UK Government?