WRITTEN QUESTION E-0298/04 by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission. Relations between the EU and Libya and human rights in Libya.
Date: 2004-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Libya, Union for the Mediterranean, human rights, human rights movement, non-governmental organisation

C 84 E/356

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2004)

According to available information, the project that the Honourable Member brings to the attention of the
Commission for the third time consists in the conditioning of a three kilometre section of an existing road.
It should be noted that this kind of project is not included in any of the Annexes of Council Directive 85/
337/EEC (1). The Spanish authorities have, nonetheless, submitted this project to an impact assessment
procedure. The ‘Environmental Impact Declaration’ (Declaración de Impacto Ambiental) clearly states that
no impact on groundwater is foreseeable in relation with this project.

Furthermore, Directive 85/337/EEC does not establish any criteria for Member States to follow when
determining which alternative to choose once the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure has been
carried out. For this reason,
it is not for the Commission to express its views on the environmental
suitability of the chosen route.

In addition, current Community legislation on the protection of groundwater does not contain any
provisions that apply to the present case, as this legislation only aims at preventing and, when possible,
reducing the pollution of groundwater by substances contained in lists I or II of the Annex to Directive 80/
68/EEC (2).

Therefore there is no evidence of an infringement of Community environmental law in this case.

(1) Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment, OJ L 175, 5.7.1985 as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997,
OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2) Council Directive 80/68/EEC of 17 December 1979 on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by

certain dangerous substances, OJ L 20, 26.1.1980.

(2004/C 84 E/0414)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0298/04

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Relations between the EU and Libya and human rights in Libya

Libya is doing its utmost to become reintegrated into the international community. In September 2003,
the UN sanctions against Libya were lifted. In recent years there has been a rapprochement between the
EU and President Gaddafi. The President of the Commission, Mr Prodi, says that by means of his talks with
the President he wishes to improve these mutual relations. On 30 December 2003, he invited Libya to join
the Barcelona process, in response to which Colonel Gaddafi stated that he was prepared to consider full
participation in the process. At present, consideration is also being given to concluding a fisheries
agreement with Libya.

To what extent does the human right rights situation play a part in the European Union’s attitude towards
Libya? Are human rights a topic for discussion in relations between the Commission and the government
in Tripoli?

What is the Commission’s view of the human rights situation in Libya? Does it believe that the situation
has improved?

Will the Commission lend its good offices to facilitate an application for permission for a delegation
representing independent human rights organisations to visit Libya to review the human rights situation
there?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2004)

There are currently no official relations between the EU and Libya, which has been a passive observer in
the Barcelona process since 1999.

3.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/357

The EU hopes that Libya can become a fully-fledged member of the Barcelona process, which it could only
join on an unconditional basis and by accepting all its acquis.

This would make it possible to enter into dialogue with Libya on all matters of interest, including human
rights.

As things stand, in the absence of any official relations with Libya, human rights issues are dealt with in an
ad hoc way.

Lastly, Amnesty International has just made a visit to Libya, where it had been denied entry since 1988.
The Commission views this as a positive development.

(2004/C 84 E/0415)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0307/04

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Genetically modified crops

In the light of the results of the UK farm-scale evaluations with genetically modified herbicide-tolerant
crops, what advice has the Commission given to the competent authorities of Member States which are
considering Part C applications to market these crops in Europe under Directive 2001/18/EC?

Does the Commission consider that the applicants will have to provide revised risk assessments according
to Article 13(6) of Directive 2001/18/EC, in the light of this new information?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2004)

The Commission has not given any specific technical advice to the competent authorities of Member States
given that consideration of applications, including risk assessments and final decisions, are conducted on a
case-by-case basis under Directive 2001/18/EC (1). Similarly, any new information has also to be considered
on a case-by-case basis. This approach is applied at all stages of the authorisation procedure.

The farm-scale evaluations conducted in the United Kingdom included cultivation of genetically modified
herbicide tolerant maize, spring-sown oilseed rape and sugar beet. Current applications for the placing on
the market of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for cultivation include both herbicide tolerant and
other varieties of maize, oilseed rape, sugar beet, fodder beet, potatoes and cotton. In terms of these
applications, the Commission has received the assessment reports, from the lead competent authority, for
two maize varieties only. The remaining applications are still being appraised by the lead competent
authorities and no assessment reports have as yet been forwarded to the Commission.

New information in terms of notifications is, as is correctly pointed out, addressed under Article 13(6) of
Directive 2001/18/EC, and where a notifier considers that new information has come to light in terms of
risks of the GMO in question to human health or the environment, then there is a requirement to inform
the lead competent authority and revise the information and conditions specified in the notification. The
lead competent authority may also request further information concerning new information prior to
finalising its assessment report.

If a positive assessment report is submitted to the Commission from the lead Member State, then all other
Member States and their scientific committees appraise its content with the possibility of raising
objections. This would include assessment of any new information, and objections could also be raised if