WRITTEN QUESTION E-1378/03 by Anne Jensen (ELDR) to the Commission. Problems with tanker vessels in waters close to Denmark.
Date: 2003-04-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, International Maritime Organisation, international convention, international waters, law of the sea, maritime safety, pollution from ships, prevention of pollution, tanker

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/81

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

As stated in its reply to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-1852/02, the Commission is aware
of the situation of the river Segura,
in the provinces of Murcia and Alicante. The Segura is polluted
because it has an irregular flow rate, resulting in reduced exchange of surface and ground water and
gradual salinisation of the soil. The soil is also affected by certain farming practices in the area which lead
to high nitrate levels. Uncontrolled discharges into the river and the fact that not all urban waste water in
the area is properly treated are also contributing to the problem.

In recent years the Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Spain several times, under
Article 226 of the EC Treaty, to ensure compliance with the Community water directives relevant to this
case. Such action on a general level will help solve the pollution problem to which the written question
refers.

It should be noted that in an action for non-compliance brought by the Commission, the Court of Justice
found against Spain (1) for failing to implement programmes to reduce the pollution of water by certain
dangerous substances within List II in the Annex to Council Directive 76/464/EEC of 4 May 1976 on
pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of
the
Community (2), contrary to the provisions of Article 7 of the Directive. The Court has also found against
other Member States for the same reason. The Spanish authorities have adopted various measures to
resolve the problem. The Commission is now checking to see whether the Court’s ruling has been
complied with.

As explained in the reply to Written Question E-1852/02,
the
Commission their Environmental Recovery Plan for the Segura basin, now being implemented in the
various fields concerned.
is planned for the area.
It should also be noted that major investment
Implementation of these measures will help improve the quality of the waters of the Segura basin.

the Spanish authorities have sent

The Commission is now examining a complaint (reference 2002/4808) on the pollution of the river
Guadalentín, a tributary of
its
investigation the Commission has asked the Spanish authorities for their comments and for further
information on measures being implemented to clean up the river Segura.

in the autonomous Community of Murcia. As part of

the Segura,

Judgment of 25.11.1998, case C-214/96.

(1)
(2) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976.

(2004/C 51 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1378/03

by Anne Jensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(15 April 2003)

Subject: Problems with tanker vessels in waters close to Denmark

The Commission is endeavouring with its proposal to amend Regulation (EC) 417/2002 (1) to step up the
pace at which single-hulled ships are phased out and double-hulled ships are phased in. However, the
regulation applies only to vessels sailing under the flag of an EU Member State.

This means, not least, that a very large proportion of the shipping sailing in the Baltic Sea and other
international waters close to Denmark will not be covered by the regulation.

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take to prevent disasters like that affecting the ‘Prestige’
caused by ships not sailing under the flag of an EU Member State?

(1) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 1.

C 51 E/82

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2003)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the fact that Regulation (EC) No 417/
2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 February 2002 (1) applies not only to ships
flying the flag of a Member State but also to any ship entering into a port (or offshore terminal) of a
Member State, irrespective of its flag.

It must also point out, though, that the Union has no power to regulate the passage through international
waters of ships carrying potentially dangerous cargoes, even if they sail close to the Member States’ coasts.

That is why on 10 April 2003 the 15 Member States and the Commission lodged a request with the
International Maritime Organisation for an urgent amendment to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol Convention). The request is for measures similar to those laid
down in Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 to be implemented at international level.

In any event, the Commission believes the international law of the sea needs to be amended to provide a
better balance between freedom of movement and the interests of coastal States, which need to be able to
protect their coasts against ecological disasters.

(1) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002.

(2004/C 51 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1383/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(8 April 2003)

Subject: Statistics for immigration and asylum

Can the Commission please provide statistics or comparable figures of actual expenditure incurred by the
Immigration and Asylum Departments or Directorates or Interior Ministries of the Member States in
relation to their asylum, immigration and citizenship programmes in the last available financial year.

(Explanatory note:
processing of applications.)

‘programmes’ refers to all the costs pertaining to welfare, accommodation and/or

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The Commission regrets to inform the Honourable Member that no such information is collected at
Community level in a standardised way, that could provide set of comparable figures.

The Commission has adopted a Communication to present an Action Plan for the collection and analysis
of Community Statistics in the field of migration. The action plan includes proposals to extend and
improve the scope and quality of statistical data on asylum and migration. It does not, at this stage,
forecast
the collection of data on national expenditure of Member States on processing of asylum
applications, or welfare and accommodation services.

The Communication will be transmitted to the Council and the Parliament, and during 2003 the
Commission will prepare proposals for a legislative basis for the collection, processing and dissemination
of Community statistics in the field of asylum and migration.