WRITTEN QUESTION E-3363/03 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission. Socio-economic impact of extractive industry in northern Europe.
Date: 2003-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU industrial policy, Northern Europe, action programme, mineral resources, mining industry, ore deposit, waste management

C 84 E/506

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3.4.2004

the country from the list of approved third countries from which Member States are authorised to import
the product in question. To further improve the import control system, the Commission is preparing a
new database system called Traces (Trade Control and Expert System). This new system will integrate the
functionalities of the existing Animo system and of the delayed Shift system. A feasibility study has been
presented in August 2003. Recently, Member States have agreed on financing the development of the
system. It is planned that Traces will be operational on 1 April 2004.

(1) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.

(2004/C 84 E/0583)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3363/03

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Socio-economic impact of extractive industry in northern Europe

The mineral resources of the Baltic (Fennoscandian) Shield region are among the richest in the world.
Many lucrative orebodies have been found there, containing, among other things, platinum, native gold,
diamonds, and the like, and high-quality building stones as well as industrial minerals. As the area has still
not been fully explored, there may be more orebodies to be found and profits to be had.

Given that it is the world’s largest consumer of minerals, Europe would gain by exploiting the region’s
mineral deposits. At present, 75 % of the minerals used in Europe are imported from other parts of the
world.

Fennoscandian orebodies lie mainly in sparsely populated areas, where the employment situation is
unremittingly poor. One medium-sized gold mine, for example, could provide direct employment for
between 100 and 150 people. Expanding extractive industry would also bring substantial benefits for the
supply of services and the local economy.

The Union should take account of the opportunities offered by the Fennoscandian mineral deposits when
it draws up regulations and legislation. It is important that the new directive on mining waste should not
make it difficult to open new mines. The concept of waste should be so defined that harmless by-products
of mining operations are not, as such, encompassed within the definition. Fennoscandian extractive
industry has always observed stringent environmental guidelines, and the technology that it uses is highly
advanced. Consequently, neither the mines existing in the region nor any future mines constitute a threat
to the environment.

It is vital for the future of primary production that the Commission draw up a special action programme
for extractive industry so as to allow not only for environment-related requirements, but also for the
sustainable economic use of natural resources and the possible regional impact. What is the Commission
doing to achieve those ends? Is it willing to pursue a specific action programme for extractive industry?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2003)

The Commission is actively working to ensure that the Union’s extractive industries operate within the
framework of sustainable development. This means achieving an appropriate balance between enhancing
the social and economic importance of the industry and protecting the environment. The Raw Materials
Supply Group, chaired by Directorate General (DG) Enterprise, provides a forum for dialogue between
Member States, Candidate Countries, the extractive industries and other stakeholders, to identify the key
issues affecting the competitiveness of the industry and to agree on actions to take this forward. The
Communication on ‘Promoting sustainable development in the EU non-energy extractive industry’ (1) made
a first step to develop this dialogue, and has been followed by work to develop sustainable development
indicators for the industry. A first report on this work is to be published on the Europa website in 2004.

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The proposed Directive on the management of waste from the extractive industries (2) seeks to prevent or
reduce environmental pollution and in particular to prevent accidents such as those that occurred recently
at Baia Mare (Romania) and Aznalcóllar (Spain), which not only cause significant environmental damage,
but also have wide socio-economic effects (including harming the image of the extractive industry as a
whole, which could hamper future permitting procedures). The proposal aims at establishing a level-
playing field and focuses on those aspects of the management of waste which present the greatest risk to
the environment and human health, such as the operation of large tailings ponds and spoil heaps
containing hazardous wastes or dangerous substances. The proposal provides a more limited set of
requirements for less hazardous waste, which are proportionate to the level of risk they present. The
proposal is now before the Parliament and the Council for decision.

While there are no plans for a special action programme for the extractive industry, the Commission will
continue to cooperate with the industry on issues related to its competitiveness, within the framework of
sustainable development. Furthermore, the Union’s Northern Dimension initiative already addresses the
special regional development challenges facing northern Europe, and provides a common framework for
the promotion of policy dialogue and concrete co-operation. The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan
(2004-2006) specifically recognises that the region is rich in natural resources and that these resources are
crucial to the economic development of local communities.

(1) COM(2000) 265 final.
(2) COM(2003) 319 final.

(2004/C 84 E/0584)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3409/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 November 2003)

Subject: Appointment of privatisation advisers for the Post Office Savings Bank

On 24 October Nikos Christodoulakis, the Greek Minister for the Economy and Finance, announced the
decision to privatise the Post Office Savings Bank and to appoint the firm J P Morgan as privatisation
advisers. The official decisions of the Interministerial Privatisation Committee on the Post Office Savings
Bank and the appointment of privatisation advisers have not yet been published. Nevertheless, according to
reports in the Greek press, J P Morgan has already taken up its duties.

Is the direct appointment of privatisation advisers, without a competition, consistent with Community law?
What procedures ought to have been followed?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

The question should be answered in the light of the services to be provided by the privatisation advisers in
question. However, the nature of these services is not clear from the text of the question.

the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to communicate to it all relevant
Therefore,
information. Furthermore,
from the Greek authorities the necessary
information to be able to establish whether or not there has been an infringement of public procurement
Community legislation.

the Commission will

request