WRITTEN QUESTION P-3135/03 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Disposal of toxic ships.
Date: 2003-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: export of waste, metal waste, toxic substance, trade restriction, vessel, waste management

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/469

The Commission has information on the origins and genetic heritage of the Sorraia horse which is publicly
accessible in the FAO database on farm animal genetic resources (http://dad.fao.org) and on the AICS
website (www.aicsorraia.fc.ul.pt), among other sources.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/94 of 20 June 1994 on the conservation, characterisation, collection and

utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture, OJ L 159, 28.6.1994.

(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the
requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside, OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.
(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European
Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations, OJ L 160,
26.6.1999.

(4) Commission Regulation (EC) No 445/2002 of 26 February 2002 laying down detailed rules for the application of

Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999, OJ L 74, 15.3.2002.

(5) Commission Decision 92/353/EEC of 11 June 1992 laying down the criteria for the approval or recognition of
organisations and associations which maintain or establish stud-books for registered equidae, OJ L 192, 11.7.1992.

(2004/C 78 E/0493)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3135/03

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Disposal of toxic ships

Commissioner Wallström will be aware of the current movement of a number of contaminated US navy
ships laden with toxic waste from the US to the UK for disposal. These ageing ships will be towed across
the Atlantic at great risk to European waters especially to the coastal areas of Britain, France, Belgium and
the Netherlands. In view of these facts I would ask the Commission whether these shipments are in
keeping with the legislative packages drawn up in light of the ‘Erika’ I and II and ‘Prestige’ disasters and
what, if any, measures can be taken to prevent Member States becoming a dumping ground for toxic
waste of this sort?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2003)

According to the information available to the Commission, the measures already adopted by the Union in
the wake of the ‘Erika’ and ‘Prestige’ accidents do not apply to shipments of end-of life ships.

However, the commitment made in Johannesburg to protect our vulnerable marine environment and the
‘Prestige’ and Tricolor disasters should lead us to a precautionary
experience learned from the ‘Erika’,
approach.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 of 1 February 1993 on the supervision and control of shipments of
waste within, into and out of the European Community applies to all shipments of waste, and thus also to
these end-of life ships. According to information submitted to the Commission, the end-of life ships are
intended to be recovered in the United Kingdom. According to the Regulation, the countries involved in
such a shipment, i.e. the countries of dispatch, destination and transit, all have to consent to the shipment.
It thus follows that all the competent authorities involved can oppose the shipment.

A pre-condition to receive a consent from the competent authorities, in particular that of destination, is
that the treatment facility is authorised and has adequate technical capacity to treat the waste in question
under conditions presenting no danger to human health and to the environment. The Commission has
received a complaint in this regard and is investigating the complaint as a matter of urgency with the

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27.3.2004

United Kingdom authorities. The latest information at the Commission’s disposal would suggest that the
United Kingdom authorities are currently evaluating the situation with regard to the permit of the
receiving company.

Finally, should the end-of life ships be intended for disposal, Council Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 provides
that the Community only imports the waste concerned if the exporting country does not have the capacity
to treat the waste itself.

(2004/C 78 E/0494)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3138/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Atmospheric pollution in Thessaloniki

According to information recently published by the Greek Ministry for the Environment, Regional
Planning and Public Works, levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur monoxide were detected in certain parts
of Thessaloniki during the past year which exceeded permitted levels on 111 and 105 days, two and a half
times the limits set by the EU.

What concrete measures has Greece announced and what concrete steps has it taken up to now in cases
where alert thresholds are exceeded, given that, under Articles 4 and 10 of Directives 1999/30/EC (1)
(relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and
lead in ambient air) and 96/62/EC (2) (on ambient air quality assessment and management), the Member
States are required to draw up a plan of action where the alert thresholds are exceeded and to inform the
Commission thereof, and to draw up a list of minimum details to be supplied to the public together with
the alert thresholds?

(1) OJ L 163, 29.6.1999, p. 41.
(2) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996, p. 55.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2003)

Article 10 of Council Directive 96/62/EC of 27 September 1996 on ambient air quality assessment and
management requires Member States to forward to the Commission basic information concerning the
levels recorded and the duration of the episode(s) of pollution no later than three months following their
occurrence. The first Daughter Directive on air quality Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999,
relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and
lead in ambient air defines alert thresholds for sulphur dioxide (SO2) (500 microgrammes per cubic metre
(µg/m3)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
(400 µg/m3), based on hourly averages, measured over three
consecutive hours. No such reports on exceeding these threshold concentrations were sent
to the
Commission by Greece in the year 2002.

It is supposed that the concentration levels mentioned, exceeded on 111 and 115 days, refer to limit
values set by Directive 1999/30/EC. As part of the annual report, Member States are obliged to report
individual cases of excess but only regarding the level of limit value plus a defined margin of tolerance
(which decreases yearly reaching zero at the attainment date, which is 2010 for NO2 and 2005 for other
components regulated by Directive 1999/30/EC).

No exceeding of limit value plus margin of tolerance for SO2 and NO2 was reported by Greece for 2002.
This does not rule out possible exceeding of limit values themselves. Limit values become legally binding at
the attainment dates.