WRITTEN QUESTION E-3658/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Black tide in Galicia: casual dumping.
Date: 2002-12-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: criminal liability, environmental liability, environmental offence, law of the sea, marine pollution, pollution from ships

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/125

(2003/C 161 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3658/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 December 2002)

Subject: Black tide in Galicia: casual dumping

The ‘Prestige’ disaster has once again alarmed European public opinion, which is astounded to see how our
coastlines are periodically hit by black tides. In the wake of each disaster, governments make public
statements promising to tighten up the legislation … until the next disaster happens.

Nevertheless, black tides represent less than 20 % of the oil and derivatives tipped into the sea on a daily
basis. More than 80 % stems from everyday practices such as emptying and cleaning tanks at sea. It is a
the
proven fact
opportunity to clean their tanks.

that, every time such a disaster happens, a number of vessels take advantage of

Some people claim that this is a daily rather than an occasional occurrence, but that it is only noticed
when there is a real black tide because of the high media presence in the area.

Will the Commission submit any formal proposal or take any specific action aimed at preventing such
incidents from recurring, within the framework of both the EU and the International Maritime
Organisation?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

The Commission is keenly aware of the problem caused by the illegal practice of emptying and cleaning
tanks at sea, and its impact on the marine environment.
It believes criminal sanctions need to be
introduced for anyone who, deliberately or through serious negligence, causes marine pollution.

Initiatives in this area were put forward in the communication from the Commission to the European
Parliament and to the Council of 3 December 2002 (1). In addition, the Copenhagen European Council of
December 2002 affirmed, in its conclusions, its intention to examine the need for new initiatives, including
on the criminal liability of polluters.

In this context, the Commission has started work on a draft regulation designed inter alia to impose
criminal sanctions on anyone (i.e. not
the
the cargo,
classification society or any other person concerned) who causes pollution through serious negligence.

the shipowner, but also the owner of

just

This proposal will tackle (deliberate) dumping by ships (the emptying and cleaning of tanks at sea) and will
be supplemented by provisions on the collection of evidence and the prosecution of those responsible.

(1) COM(2002) 681 final.

(2003/C 161 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3659/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 December 2002)

Subject: Black tide in Galicia: financial resources

In connection with the disaster caused by the ‘Prestige’ oil tanker accident, with what financial resources is
the Commission intending to tackle the serious socio-economic consequences which this accident will have
in Galicia, a European Objective 1 region with development problems?

What specific requests have been made to the Commission by the Member State affected?