WRITTEN QUESTION E-1499/03 by José Mendiluce Pereiro (PSE), Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)and Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Zebra mussels and transfers from the Ebro.
Date: 2003-05-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, Structural Funds, aid system, degradation of the environment, environmental impact, financial aid, humid zone, hydrology, mollusc, water management

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/157

The United Kingdom Government cannot make a financial claim for its 2003 Eradication Programmes and
TSE Monitoring Programmes. The United Kingdom’s programmes were not approved for co-financing due
to the fact that they were submitted after the 1 June deadline given in Article 24(3) of Council Decision
90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (2). Therefore, any payment application
submitted by the United Kingdom for 2003 eradication or monitoring programmes will not result in a
financial contribution on the part of the Commission. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (DEFRA) was informed of this in a letter dated 11 November 2002.

(1) OJ L 324, 29.11.2002.
(2) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.

(2003/C 280 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1499/03

by José Mendiluce Pereiro (PSE), Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)
and Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Zebra mussels and transfers from the Ebro

(5 May 2003)

The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a bivalve mollusc some three centimetres in size, similar in
appearance to the common mussel. The population explosion that results when these mussels are
introduced makes it virtually impossible to stop them colonising the various natural and artificial substrata
encountered in the freshwater environment. They feed on phytoplankton, for which they compete with
other autochthonous species, disrupting the ecological balance. The pseudofaeces they expel cover the beds
of rivers and reservoirs forming a cloak that is toxic to humans and also eliminates all fish in the zone
concerned. The colonisation capacity of these mussels enables them to block irrigation channels, intakes
and outtakes of power stations, hydraulic constructions of all types, turbines, drainage channels, tanks,
engines and anchors of vessels, water treatment plants, streams and watercourses and even to totally
obstruct pipes and pipelines. In the early 1980s they were introduced into the North American Great
Lakes. Efforts to control the species have already cost some USD 2 billion and, despite this large-scale
investment, it is now firmly established.

During summer 2001 the presence of zebra mussels was detected in the Ebro (at the Riba Roja reservoir
and at various points between Flix and Xerta).
In the space of a few months, the species became
commonplace from the Riba Roja reservoir to the Ebro delta. It has recently been found in the irrigation
systems of Les Garrigues and Terra Alta, more than 20 kilometres from where it initially appeared, having
reached the area as a result of normal water harnessing.

1.

2.

Does the Commission know what measures the Spanish Government is taking to eradicate this pest?

Are any of these measures 100 % effective? If not, what measures would be 100 % effective?

3. Will the Commission support the funding of the National Hydrological Plan, under which it is
proposed to transfer infected waters (from the river Ebro) to other river basins?

4. Would a transfer be legal under such circumstances? Would it not be in breach of the habitats
directive prohibiting the introduction of non-native species?

Does the Commission plan to take a decision on the National Hydrological Plan before or after the

5.
eradication of this pest?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to its answer to Written Question E-0510/03 by
Joan Colom i Naval (1) on the same issue.

C 280 E/158

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

With regard to the specific issues raised in the present question:

1. The Commission is not aware of any steps being taken by the Spanish Government to eradicate the

Zebra mussel in the Ebro river system.

2. The Commission is not aware of any method which is 100 % efficient in eradicating these animals.

3. The use of structural funds and cohesion funds is subject to the detailed rules laid down in the

relevant regulations. These rules include the necessity to respect Community legislation and policies.

4. The Commission is engaged in an extensive dialogue with the Spanish Authorities concerning the
proposed Ebro transfer and in particular with regard to the respect of Community legislation on water
protection, habitats’ protection and Environmental Impact Assessment. The issue of the zebra mussel
and the threat of spreading this animal to other river basins is part of this dialogue.

5. The Spanish Hydrological Plan covers the entirety of the country and includes hundreds of proposed
projects relating to the construction of sewage works, water purification plants, canals, dams, pipelines
etc. The Commission will monitor compliance with the relevant legislation and will ensure that the
detailed rules relating to use of Community funds are respected. With regard to the proposed Ebro
transfer, which is part of the hydrological plan, the Commission is still engaged in detailed discussions
with the Spanish Authorities concerning the environmental impact in the Ebro river, the Ebro delta
and the receiving river basins.

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 141.

(2003/C 280 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1521/03

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Illegal immigration and the spread of the SARS virus

Since the SARS virus is also spreading within Europe in a way which threatens everyone’s health.

Since the international authorities consider people arriving from certain parts of the world to be possible
carriers of
the virus (in particular people coming from China, a country whose health authorities
significantly delayed the issue of an international warning regarding the dangers inherent in any spread of
the virus).

Since in many European countries there are extensive networks of Chinese restaurants and other
businesses which are known to employ staff of doubtful origin who entered the EU as illegal immigrants.

Will the Commission provide information regarding the action it intends to take in order to ensure that
proper checks are carried out on the state of health of such individuals?

(2003/C 280 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1547/03

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Adoption in Europe of joint measures to combat SARS

The recent epidemic caused by the atypical pneumonia virus (SARS) has now forced the Chinese
authorities to place a large number of people under quarantine, whilst special prevention provisions have
already been taken in Canada and in other Asian countries directly involved. However Europe, which has