WRITTEN QUESTION E-0881/04 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Incinerator installation in the Central Region (Portugal).
Date: 2004-03-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Portugal, application of EU law, environmental statistics, location of industry, waste incineration, waste management, waste recycling

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/241

(2004/C 88 E/0243)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0881/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Incinerator installation in the Central Region (Portugal)

(22 March 2004)

Quercus, the Portuguese National Nature Conservation Association, submitted a detailed report to the
Commission in October 2003 on the major problems identified in packaging management and recycling
in Portugal.

Quercus is now disputing the installation of an incinerator designed to burn over 90 % of the solid urban
waste produced in Portugal’s Central Region, by the ERSUC (Central Region Solid Urban Waste Company),
since Quercus deems this supposed solution to be more productive of pollution, less efficient and more
expensive than others.

The Commission:

1. What is its stance on Quercus’ report on the problems identified in packaging, management and

recycling in Portugal?

2.

Is it familiar with the ERSUC study on installing an incinerator in the Central Region? What is the
Commission’s stance on this proposal?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

1.
The Commission is in the process of verifying the data sent in the report mentioned by the
Honourable Member. However, the Commission did not yet receive official data on packaging recycling
from Portugal for the year 2002. Pursuant to Commission Decision 97/138/EC (1) these data must be
submitted by 30 June 2004.

The data for recycled packaging waste submitted by Quercus for 2002 significantly differ from the official
figures for the years 1998 to 2001. According to the official 2001 data submitted by Portugal, a total of
484,225 tons of packaging waste was recycled, whereas the data by Quercus only indicate a total of
193,502 tons of packaging waste recycling. Correspondingly, the officially reported recycling rate for 2001
is 38 % whereas the recycling rate for 2002 reported by Quercus is 15 %. The report submitted by Quercus
does not give an explanation for this difference which is, however, unlikely to be only due to different
reference years.

Whereas the above data refer to recycling, according to Directive 94/62/EC (2) (as amended by Directive
2004/12/EC (3)) the only target applicable to Portugal by 2001 is a target of 25 % for recovery or
incineration at waste incineration plants with energy recovery. The data submitted by Portugal for 2001
indicate that a total of 667 916 tonnes of packaging would fall into this category. The resulting rate for
recovery or incineration at waste incineration plants with energy recovery is 52 %. For this reason, the
Commission currently does not have sufficient elements to believe that Portugal has failed to achieve its
2001 target. However,
the Commission will verify the official 2002 data and any other relevant
information which might be submitted in future.

The Quercus report also refers to other issues (transparency, Green Dot fees, supermarkets, re-use,
industrial packaging, medical packaging, more favourable treatment of certain companies and packaging
types, and the situation in the Azores). However, these matters fall under the responsibility of national
authorities and the Commission currently cannot identify any elements that would infringe the Packaging
and Packaging Waste Directive or other pieces of Community legislation.

2.
The Commission service responsible is not in possession of the ERSUC study on installing an
incinerator in the Central Region of Portugal. However, various pieces of relevant information available on
the internet have been studied. As long as the conditions of Community waste management legislation are
fulfilled, Member States are free to take their own choices of waste management methods. This applies in
particular to the way the reduction targets for biodegradable waste to landfills are achieved. Portugal has
announced the construction of a new incinerator in the Litoral Centro in their national strategy for the
reduction of biodegradable waste going to landfills. Furthermore, it should be noted that the granting of

C 88 E/242

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

permits falls under the responsibility of national authorities, and does not need to be notified to the
Commission. In the absence of information indicating the contrary, the Commission does not see a reason
to assume that Portugal fails to apply relevant Community waste legislation.

(1) Commission Decision 97/138/EC of 3 February 1997 establishing the formats relating to the database system
pursuant to Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, OJ L 52, 22.2.1997.
(2) Directive 94/62/EC of the Parliament and Council Directive of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging

waste, OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(3) Directive 2004/12/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004, OJ L 47, 18.2.2004.

(2004/C 88 E/0244)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0902/04

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 March 2004)

Subject: Talks for a settlement in Cyprus

At its meeting of 23 February 2004, the Council ‘welcomed the preparedness of the European Commission
to fulfil its supportive role, acknowledged by successive European Councils, by providing the assistance
requested by the United Nations Secretary-General.’

In the light of the role which the UN Secretary-General has called upon the Commission to play, will the
Commission say whether it can confirm that the talks held to date have taken account of the need to
implement the ‘acquis communautaire’ throughout the island, and the need for an operational State
capable of meeting the requirements of participation in the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 2004)

The Commission can confirm that the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem put forward to
the Secretary General of
the ‘acquis’
throughout the island. One of the United Nations (UN) subcommittees is dealing exclusively with the
harmonisation of future federal and constituent state laws with Community legislation. The meetings of
this subcommittee are chaired by UN experts with EU background. These experts also take account of the
capability of the reunited Cyprus to fulfil its obligations under EU law and to fully participate in the EU.

the United Nations takes account of

the need to implement

(2004/C 88 E/0245)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0904/04

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(24 March 2004)

Subject: Mercedes-Benz car warranties

Is the Commission aware that Mercedes-Benz offer a manufacturing warranty of three years to all cars
purchased in the United Kingdom, but only offer a two-year manufacturing warranty to cars purchased in
the rest of Continental Europe?

As this situation may be seen to discourage UK citizens from purchasing Mercedes-Benz cars in other EU
Member States, does the Commission view this as a barrier to free trade throughout the EU?