WRITTEN QUESTION E-3030/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Use of hydraulic dredges in the EU.
Date: 2003-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: conservation of fish stocks, environmental impact, environmental protection, fishing industry, fishing regulations

C 78 E/454

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0480)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3012/03

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Wine

Amidst the tortuous negotiations over alcoholic beverages and foods, has the Commission been able to
discuss with the other members of the WTO the list of geographical indications that the European Union
would like to see protected internationally?

This list includes several names of wine, such as Rioja, and other food products.

Does the Commission believe that it will be possible to reach an agreement in this area, given the strong
resistance shown by countries like the United States, who have grown used to freely misappropriating
Community names?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2003)

indications in the World Trade Organisation
The Community presented its short list of geographical
(WTO) agriculture negotiations at the end of August 2003 in Geneva. Given the short term between its
submission to the WTO and the Fifth Ministerial Conference, there was no time to discuss the list before
Cancun. Unfortunately, due to the course of events in the Conference, it was not possible to discuss it in
Cancun.

The Commission considers that this is a very important issue in order to guarantee effective protection of
geographical names which are being abused worldwide. It will, therefore, continue asking for this matter to
be an integral part of the negotiations in Geneva, though the degree of acceptance of this proposal by
other WTO Members appears to be low at this stage.

(2004/C 78 E/0481)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3030/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Use of hydraulic dredges in the EU

Hydraulic dredges, wrongly called ‘chupadeiras’ or ‘chuponas’ (suckers), a fishing technique which has
profound repercussions in terms of the environment and of conservation of fish stocks, are used for fishing
for bivalves; the high-pressure hosing and consequent stirring up of the offshore seabed in order to catch
epi-benthic fauna in the dredges has both directly and indirectly destructive effects on the seabed and
affects its recolonisation and reconstitution.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) is this technique being used in the European Union? If so, where and by which parts of the fleet;

(cid:1) what is the Commission’s opinion of this technique? Is there any Community legislation in this area?

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/455

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2003)

The Commission is aware of the use of mechanised dredges in most of Community waters from the Baltic
to the Mediterranean sea. This technique is very often used for fishing molluscs and to wash out deeper-
sited shells, usually by small vessels fishing near the shore.

The Commission is aware of some studies on the impact of this fishing gear on the environment. Detailed
studies on long-term effects of this fishing method are lacking. There is however, some evidence of
environmental effects in the short-term.

At present there is no Community legislation in the field of fisheries on the use of mechanised dredges.
Where such measures are now applicable, these are established for local fisheries by Member States.

In certain cases, the use of these devices could be restricted on the grounds of Community legislation in
the field of nature protection.

(2004/C 78 E/0482)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3037/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Breach of EU environmental legislation in the expansion of Frankfurt airport

Plans for the expansion of Frankfurt airport clearly contravene EU legislation on the environment in
several respects. In particular, the risk of accident posed by a plane crashing onto the Ticona chemical
factory is extremely serious.

1.
Does the Commission share the view that the EU Seveso II Directive must be applied in connection
with plans for the north-west runway, given the close proximity of potentially hazardous sites (e.g. Ticona)?

2.

Does the Commission agree that the EIA Directive must be complied with in the planning phase?

Does the Commission share the view that the EU Environmental

3.
Directives must be complied with in the procedure?

Information, FFH and Birds

Does the Commission share the view that misleading studies are not suitable for assessing the

4.
accident risk posed by a plane crashing onto a chemical factory?

5. What steps will the Commission take to ensure that EU legislation is complied with in connection
with the plans for the expansion of Frankfurt airport?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2003)

1.
According to Article 12 of the Seveso II (cid:1) Directive, Member States shall ensure that the objectives
of preventing major accidents and limiting the consequences of such accidents are taken into account in
their land-use policies. They shall pursue those objectives, amongst others, through controls on new
developments such as transport links in the vicinity of existing establishments, where the siting or
developments are such as to increase the risk or consequences of a major accident.