WRITTEN QUESTION E-1413/03 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Sewage disposal/treatment.
Date: 2003-04-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, Italy, application of EU law, wastewater, water treatment

C 33 E/116

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

The Commission has already been notified of applications by motorcyclist associations for reduced VAT
rates for protective clothing and headwear.

A large degree of harmonisation exists within the Community. The standard rate currently applies in 14
Member States. This varies between 15 % and 25 %. The United Kingdom has been authorised on an
exceptional basis to continue to apply, during a transitional period, the zero rate which was in force in the
United Kingdom on 1 January 1991.

The Commission will shortly be presenting a proposal to improve the functioning of the internal market
by rationalising the use of reduced rates by Member States to avoid potential distortion of competition.
This will give all Member States the same rights in applying reduced rates.

As another measure to promote protective clothing and headwear for motorcyclists the Commission is
considering whether to harmonise the conditions for the wearing of helmets by users of two-wheel motor
vehicles and to support campaigns to promote the use of protective clothing by them.

In 1998 the European Union adopted Regulation 22 of the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe introducing type approval of protective helmets for motorcyclists. The protective components of
motorcyclists’ clothing are covered by Council Directive 86/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment (3) which makes
the EC mark compulsory for all products with specific protective features. This Directive, and its proposed
update, ensure a high level of health and safety protection for users of individual protective equipment.
The EC mark also contributes to market transparency as products conforming to the Directive can be
visibly distinguished from other types of equipment.

(1) COM(2000) 348 final.
(2) COM(2001) 599 final.
(3) Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States

relating to personal protective equipment, OJ L 399, 30.12.1989.

(2004/C 33 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1413/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 April 2003)

Subject: Sewage disposal/treatment

Can the Commission comment on the extent to which the sewerage systems in Brussels and Milan comply
with EU law on sewage treatment and disposal?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Council Directive 91/271/EECof 21 May 1991 concerning urban wastewater treatment (1) requires Member
States to ensure that all agglomerations with more than 2 000 inhabitant equivalents (2) are provided with
urban wastewater collection and treatment systems. The deadlines for providing these systems are
31 December 1998 (tertiary treatment), 31 December 2000 and 31 December 2005, depending upon the
size of the conurbation and the sensitivity of the recipient waters.

Concerning Milan, the Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Italy for failure to
comply with this Directive. This is because wastewater in Milan has been discharged into the relevant
catchment areas without the necessary stringent (tertiary) treatment. A judgement of 25 April 2002 by the
European Court of Justice was in favour of the Commission’s position.

6.2.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/117

three wastewater treatment plants in Milan is currently ongoing. The Italian
The construction of
Authorities have informed the Commission that they predict the installations ‘Milano Sud’ (treating 40 % of
the urban wastewater of Milan) and ‘Peschiera’
(10 %) will be operational at the end of 2004. The
installation ‘Nosedo’ will eventually treat 50 % of Milan’s urban wastewater. The Italian Authorities have
stated that this station started working at 25 % of its potential
in April 2003. Full operation will be
achieved by January 2005. The Commission is continuing to monitor the situation.

The Commission has also launched an infringement procedure against Belgium because of untreated
wastewater discharges from Brussels. The case was brought before the Court of Justice in January 2003.
According to the Belgian Authorities, they are proceeding with the investment programme for stringent
(tertiary) treatment plants for Brussels. The predicted date for completion is June 2006.

Finally, a Commission report (in preparation) on the implementation of the urban wastewater Council
Directive 91/271/EEC will give information on the present treatment situation across the Union. The
report will be available within the coming months.

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, as amended by Commission Directive 98/15/EC of 27 February 1998, OJ L 67, 7.3.1998.
(2) An organic-pollution measuring unit representing the average pollution produced per person per day.

(2004/C 33 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1428/03

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) and Salvador Jové Peres (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Urban development plans in Pinya de Rosa (Blanes, Catalonia)

(24 April 2003)

The Pinya de Rosa estate, the last undeveloped nature area on the coastal strip (with 1 400 metres of
coastline) in the Blanes municipal district, includes the Pinya de Rosa Tropical Gardens (with 700 species),
a 60-year-old mixed wood of holm oaks and pines, a rocky coastline in a perfect state of conservation and
richly diverse flora and fauna on the sea bed and along the shore.

The proposal
for a European Parliament and Council recommendation for Integrated Coastal Zone
Management in Europe recommends drawing up national strategies to protect the severely threatened
coastal environment, particularly on the Mediterranean coast.

There have since 1994 been determined efforts by certain groups of investors to develop this nature area,
which would mean that the whole of the sea-front of Blanes would become man-made.

In view of all the above, and if as seems likely this development plan goes ahead, does the Commission not
agree that this would affect various directives, including:

(cid:1) 85/337/EEC (1), as amended by 97/11/EC (2), on the assessment of the effects of certain public and

private projects on the environment;

(cid:1) 92/43/EEC (3) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

The Honourable Members ask the Commission if a proposal for an urbanisation project in Pinya de Rosa
(Blanes-Cataluña-Spain) is subject to Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of