WRITTEN QUESTION E-1521/03 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission. Illegal immigration and the spread of the SARS virus.
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, EU control, Schengen Agreement, border control, catering industry, catering profession, clandestine worker, illegal migration, infectious disease

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