WRITTEN QUESTION E-3921/03 by María Bergaz Conesa (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Illegal practices in use of water from the Segura Basin (Murcia, Spain).
Date: 2003-12-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, European Anti-fraud Office, Spain, fraud against the EU, hydraulic works, water management

C 84 E/266

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0313)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3921/03

by María Bergaz Conesa (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 December 2003)

Subject: Illegal practices in use of water from the Segura Basin (Murcia, Spain)

The Spanish State Prosecutor is currently investigating illegal practices with regard to use of water from
the Segura Basin, the laxity of the Hydrographical Confederation in prosecuting illegal extraction of water
and the favouritism shown to certain businesses. Before the chief prosecutor of the Madrid High Court of
Justice, the chairman of the Segura Hydrographic Confederation has acknowledged that most of the cases
brought against alleged illegal water extraction had lapsed.

The legal proceedings currently involve the trial of a business group which is accused of using political
contacts in order to commit an alleged fraud, by manipulating European subsidies for the re-afforestation
of a burnt-out wood, a process which ended with the installation of drip irrigation.

It is intended that the Segura Basin will receive 450 hm3 from the Ebro water transfer.

Is the Commission aware of the large number of existing irregularities in controls on illegal extractions of
water from the Segura Basin?

Is the Commission aware of the alleged fraud involving European subsidies?

Is the Commission aware of other, similar cases?

Does the Commission intend to decide the funding of the Ebro water transfer before these irregularities are
identified and resolved?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2004)

The Commission is aware through public sources that the Spanish judicial authorities are conducting
enquiries into alleged illegal practices relating to the use and allocation of water resources and to the
possible misuse of European subsidies relating to the Segura basin. The European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF)
remains available to provide assistance to the Spanish judicial authorities in the event that such assistance
is required.

The Commission is also aware, again through public sources,
there are many allegations/
denouncements of illegal abstractions of water in the Segura as well as in other river basins in the
South-East of Spain.

that

The Commission’s future decision concerning the possible allocation of Community funds for the
implementation of the Ebro transfer will be made according to the existing rules and procedures as set
down in the relevant regulations, and in full compliance with the applicable Community legislation and
policies including those relating to the environment.

(2004/C 84 E/0314)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3923/03

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 December 2003)

Subject: Counterfeiting

According to the European Commission’s customs statistics, 50 million counterfeit or pirated articles were
seized at the EU’s external frontiers during the first six months of 2003, a figure much higher than that for
the corresponding period in 2002.