WRITTEN QUESTION E-0667/03 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Transposition dates for DG Environment directives.
Date: 2003-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United Kingdom, environmental law, infringement procedure (EU), national implementing measure

9.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 242 E/161

which exist between the parts of South-East Spain and the Western United States, it was thought that
American experts might be able to provide a valuable insight into some of the key issues associated with
the proposed Ebro transfer.

The Commission provided the names of prominent American experts but was not involved in the decision
to establish a team of experts nor in the choice of the experts. The Commission did not have any direct
contact with the experts and was not involved in their investigation although it was informed of its status
on a regular basis. The Commission advised that the experts be given access to a wide selection of material
concerning the proposed Ebro transfer, including not only official documents but also reports from non-
governmental organisations, academics and others that had raised concerns in relation to the proposed
transfer. The Commission also advised that the report be made public and widely accessible.

The idea of an independent investigation was very strongly supported by Mr Amalio Garrido from the
region of Murcia.
It is understood that Mr Garrido has an unpaid position as a Commissioner for
sustainable development with the regional government in Murcia. He also represents a municipal drinking
water supply company in the Murcia region. The information and advice referred to above was provided
to Mr Garrido. The host organisation for the commissioning and execution of the study was the University
of Cartagena in Murcia.

(2003/C 242 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0667/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 March 2003)

Subject: Transposition dates for DG Environment directives

Can the Commission state the transposition dates for all DG Environment directives since September 1999
and the dates (if any) on which the UK Government confirmed to the Commission that they had been
transposed into UK law and in which cases the Commission has commenced proceedings in order to
secure compliance?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2003)

There are twenty-six directives for which Directorate General Environment is responsible, which are
relevant for transposition by the United Kingdom and for which transposition was due after September
1999. These are listed in the table which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s
Secretariat. As can be seen from the table, six of the Directives listed have been transposed. For the rest,
infringement proceedings are on-going. Eleven of the cases listed relate only to the failure to transpose in
Gibraltar.

(2003/C 242 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0681/03

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Incorrect transposition of the Birds Directive into Spanish law

The European Commission brought infringements proceedings against the Kingdom of Spain for failing to
correctly transpose and implement Directive 79/409/EEC (1) on the conservation of wild birds. The
irregularities detected by the Commission at the initial stage related to the seventh additional provision of
Law No 4/1989 on conservation of the countryside and wild fauna and flora, which provided that
authorisation for the hunting of partridge using decoys could be granted by the relevant autonomous
administration, with the limitations required to ensure conservation of that species, in places where this