WRITTEN QUESTION P-1610/03 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission. Conductivity and an ecologically sound rate of flow in the case of the Ebro diversion proposed under the Spanish National Water Resources Plan.
Date: 2003-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, drinking water, hydrology, prices, water management, water protection, water resources, watercourse

C 70 E/52

Official Journal of the European Union

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20.3.2004

regardless of their future BSE status and because the preconditions for lifting the ban are not fulfilled.
In particular, appropriate validated analytical methods to differentiate ruminant proteins from proteins of
other species are not yet available and the Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office is still reporting
deficiencies in the control of the feed ban.

The Commission is aware that the conditions to use fishmeal
in non-ruminant feed have presented
difficulties, resulting in a reduction of the market for fishmeal in non-ruminant animal nutrition since
2001. The proposal aims to simplify some of the conditions for using fishmeal. A step-by-step lifting of
the feed ban on a prudent and scientifically justified basis may be considered in the light of development
of analytical tests over the next six to twelve months.

(1) 2000/766/EC: Council Decision of 4 December 2000 concerning certain protection measures with regard to

transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the feeding of animal protein, OJ L 306, 7.12.2000.

(2) 2001/9/EC: Commission Decision of 29 December 2000 concerning control measures

the
implementation of Council Decision 2000/766/EC concerning certain protection measures with regard to
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the feeding of animal protein (Text with EEA relevance) (notified
under document number C(2000) 4412), OJ L 2, 5.1.2001.

required for

(3) 2002/248/EC: Commission Decision of 27 March 2002 amending Council Decision 2000/766/EC and Commission
Decision 2001/9/EC with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the feeding of animal proteins
(Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2002) 1277), OJ L 84, 28.3.2002.

(4) OJ L 147, 31.5.2001.

(2004/C 70 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1610/03

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Conductivity and an ecologically sound rate of flow in the case of the Ebro diversion proposed

under the Spanish National Water Resources Plan

In its reply of 28 March 2003 to this Member’s Written Question E-0509/03 (1) on water quality and the
the Commission acknowledged the conductivity problems
Spanish National Water Resources Plan,
affecting the waters of the lower Ebro but it took the view that the recommended maximum salinity
levels would not be exceeded under the plan submitted by the Spanish Government. This assertion has
been rebutted by a number of scientists and experts who have studied the last few years’ average
conductivity levels for the stretch of river in question and have concluded that there is no guarantee that
the 1 000 microSiemens per centimetre level can be maintained. This would mean that if the river is
indeed diverted the recipient river basins will be required to use poor-quality water rendered expensive by
the cost of making it drinkable.

In addition to the question of conductivity, the proposal for the diversion of the Ebro does nothing to
settle the issue of the minimum rate of flow required in order to maintain a healthy environment (cid:1) this
being a matter of contention for all the social, political and ecological players concerned, including the
Catalan Regional Government. Under the Spanish National Water Resources Plan it has been decided that
preserving the environment in the Ebro Delta will require a flow rate of 100 m3/second (equivalent to
approximately 3 100 hm3/year), together with a Comprehensive Delta Protection Plan which has yet to be
drawn up. For its part the Catalan Government is proposing to increase the suggested flow rate to 135 m3/
second (4 200 hm3/year) (cid:1) an improvement on the proposal contained in the original National Water
Resources Plan but still not sufficient to protect the biodiversity of the Delta and its environment (2).

If the diversion is carried out on the basis of a 100-135 m3/second flow rate, this will swiftly lead to a
reduction in the volume of water which can be diverted and to a greater need for regulation in the Ebro
river basin (cid:1) facts which will undoubtedly have an impact on the price ultimately charged for the diverted
water (higher depreciation and operating costs).

What data has the Commission used as a basis for asserting that the water conductivity levels will not
under any circumstances exceed the limits laid down in Directives 75/440 (3) and 98/83 (4)? Given the high
salinity level of
the Ebro’s waters, does the Commission consider such permissive practices to be
compatible with the framework directive on water?

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Can the Commission state categorically that, under the plans for the Ebro diversion as they currently stand
(including the target rate of flow), the cost of water will be lower than it would be under the alternative
schemes which the Spanish Government is not considering (desalination, re-use)?

(1) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 140.
(2)

For its research the Commission has used data drawn up by the ecologist Narcís Prat, according to which a flow
rate of 350 hm3 will be needed in order to accommodate factors such as climate change.

(3) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 26.
(4) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

As stated in the answer to the previous question E-509/03 on this issue submitted by the Honourable
Member, Council Directive 98/83 EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human
consumption identifies conductivity as an indicator parameter with a value of 2 500 microSiemens per
centimetre. If monitoring programmes identify that this parameter has been exceeded, Member States shall
consider whether non-compliance poses any risk to human health. In addition, Council Directive 75/440/
EEC if 16 June 1975, concerning the quality of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking
water in the Member States, sets down a guide value of 1 000 microSiemens per centimetre which Member
states shall endeavour to respect.

As also indicated in the answer to the above-mentioned previous question, the current conductivity
measured in the lower Ebro is around 1000 microSiemens per centimetre. In this context, it should be
remembered that the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the
Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water
policy (1)),
imposes a requirement to achieve good chemical status in waters by 2015. Therefore, for
reasons of conformity with the Water Framework Directive, the conductivity of the water in the lower
Ebro cannot be allowed to increase significantly.

It is possible with the increased projections for irrigation use in the delta river basin that this could exert
an upward pressure on the conductivity in the lower Ebro. However, there is no a priori reason to assume
that the proposed transfer of water from the river Ebro, will result in non-compliance with Community
water legislation as to the issue of water conductivity.

With regard to the issue of cost, there is no Community legislation or policy, which would expressly
require the Spanish Authorities to select the option which provides water at the lowest cost. It is,
therefore, inappropriate for the Commission to comment on this issue.

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(2004/C 70 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1626/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 May 2003)

Subject: Consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products imported from the US

In light of the health precautions in place in the EU in relation to the production of eggs, how does the
Commission intend to ensure the same level of consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products
that are imported from the USA?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2003)

The existing legislation in place is already designed to ensure that both imported and domestically
produced eggs and egg products offer equivalent levels of safety. Recent checks carried out in Belgium
have brought to light the presence of residues of banned substances in egg products, including in products
imported from the United States. The Commission is, in accordance with the normal practice in such