WRITTEN QUESTION E-3821/03 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission. Environmental impact of the extension of the Eivissa Airport.
Date: 2003-12-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Balearic Islands, airport, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, impact study

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/859

(2004/C 78 E/0912)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3797/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 December 2003)

Subject: Sustainable fisheries

What use has the Commission made to date, or does it intend to make, of Maríne Stewardship Council
certification as a means of developing a sustainable fisheries strategy?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2004)

The Maríne Stewardship Council (MSC) certification scheme is a private initiative which rewards certain
fishing practices with a distinctive label at the request of fishing operators so that consumers can direct
their choices towards their products. While the Commission has no intention of promoting the use of any
private certification scheme as a means of developing a sustainable fisheries strategy, it will continue to use
its initiative powers to propose legislation and transmit guidelines to fishing, processing and marketing fish
in a context of sustainability.

(2004/C 78 E/0913)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3821/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject: Environmental impact of the extension of the Eivissa Airport

My question E-0209/03 (1) of 3 February 2003 addressed the environmental
caused by the scheme to enlarge Eivissa Airport.

impact which would be

In its reply of 14 March 2003, the Commission stated that it was processing a complaint lodged in this
in Question E-2745/03 (2) I asked whether the Commission had
connection. On 11 September 2003,
reached any specific conclusions as a result of the complaint lodged.

Mrs Wallström’s latest reply, of 16 October 2003, stated that the Commission had approached the Spanish
authorities to request full details of the scheme in question, a copy of the impact statement and of the
measures adopted to respect the obligations deriving from Article 6 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and woodland fauna and flora (3).

Furthermore, the Commission said that it intended that this case should form part of an exchange with the
Spanish authorities within the framework of the bilateral meeting to be held on October 2003, which
would consider the whole picture of complaints and infringements in the environmental sphere involving
Spain.

Has the Commission now received the information requested from the Spanish authorities? Has the
planned bilateral meeting been held? If so, what conclusions were reached with regard to resolving the
problem of the infringement of various EU environmental directives in connection with the enlargement of
Eivissa Airport?

(1) OJ C 222 E, 18.9.2003, p. 163.
(2) See page 161.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

C 78 E/860

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2004)

As was announced in the reply to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-2745/03, the Commission
has discussed with the Spanish authorities the application of Community Environmental Law to the project
of the enlargement of Ibiza airport, during the bilateral meeting held in Madrid in October 2003.
Subsequently, the Spanish authorities have sent a report containing their comments on the facts raised.

This report indicates that the Enlargement Project of Ibiza Airport is currently undergoing an impact
assessment procedure according to the provisions of Community Law.

The Spanish authorities claim that
they have taken into account the allegations made by different
organizations and institutions in the course of this procedure. They have consequently modified the project
so as to restrict the foreseen works to the area situated beyond the limits of the Natura 2000 site
ES0000084 (Ses Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera). As a matter of fact, the only interventions included
currently in the project are a new runway for emergency landings and a new platform for fire-fighting
drills.

The Commission is currently assessing the information provided by the Spanish authorities. As soon as
this assessment is complete, the Commission will be able to draw its conclusions on this case.

(2004/C 78 E/0914)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3825/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject: Abandoned mines

In various EU countries, including Portugal, there are mines which have been abandoned in a very bad
state, with waste water leaching out and forming pools which pollute nearby watercourses and land,
thereby presenting a threat to the environment and public health.

There are a number of particularly serious cases, such as the uranium mines in Portugal. There is in fact a
programme for the recovery of mines, but financial resources are scarce and thus work to prevent
environmental deterioration progresses very slowly.

Can the Commission therefore say:

1. what research has been done on abandoned mines in the EU Member States, in particular uranium

mines, and what projects exist to prevent environmental damage and safeguard public health;

2. what support has been given to Portugal for this purpose;

3. what other forms of support will be possible in the short term, bearing in mind the serious situations

in Portugal and the financial problems faced by the country?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2004)

The Commission has, for many years, been well aware of the problems posed by uranium mining and
milling sites once the economic activity at the site has come to an end. These abandoned mines, if they are
not properly managed and subjected to remediation, can pose an important radiological risk to man and
the environment.

The problem is particularly acute in a number of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and has been
the subject of studies under the PHARE and related programmes. A number of Member States, that in the
past were involved in uranium mining (including Germany, France and Sweden), have carried out research
on the remediation of such sites. However, no Community-funded research has been carried out inside the
Union during any of the recent research framework programmes.