WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2731/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Protection of dwellings near the mediaeval walls of Thessaloniki
C 102/104 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 4. 98 (98/C 102/149) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2728/97 by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission (30 July 1997) Subject: Social and environmental harm caused by prawn-farming in India The farming of prawns, mainly for export purposes, has become widespread in recent years in some states of India, in particular Tamil Nadhu. These activities are mostly controlled by foreign companies or multinationals. As highlighted by widespread non-violent protest movements, and affirmed by the Indian Supreme Court itself, such farming has caused severe environmental and social damage, and the use of sites for fish-farming has had serious social repercussions. Large-scale prawn-farming in India therefore clearly contravenes the principles of ásustainable developmentí upheld by the European Union. 1. Has the Commission ever provided support, directly or indirectly, for setting up or doing business with prawn-farms in India? 2. Does the Commission consider that European Union-based companies operating in this sector in India are behaving correctly or not? 3. Does it intend to take economic, political and environmental measures to encourage the conversion of such fish-farms? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1997) 1. The Commission has never provided support for setting up or doing business with prawn farms in India. 2. The Commission is aware of the possible damage that can result from intensive prawn farming in coastal areas. It therefore recommends the responsible development of aquaculture, in accordance with the Code of Conduct for responsible fishing, to which the Community adheres. The Commission is not in a position to judge the behaviour of the companies operating in this sector in India. The Commission does not feel that it should take any economic, political or environmental measures to 3. encourage the conversion of such farms. (98/C 102/150) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2731/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Protection of dwellings near the mediaeval walls of Thessaloniki With aid from the European Union, Thessaloniki municipal authorities are undertaking a series of town-planning projects in the upper city of Thessaloniki: these include the demolition of refugee dwellings bordering on the mediaeval walls, which, according to UNESCOís international list (No 456), constitute part of the world heritage. These buildings which are linked to the history of the City since the Byzantine period are being demolished to make way for roads running parallel to the walls and parking places. The Academic Staff of the University of Thessalonikiís Faculty of Architecture and local inhabitants are protesting about this, and the Greek section of ICOMOS has addressed a letter to Thessaloniki municipal authorities stressing that the Granada Convention and the Charter of Venice provide that áalongside the protected cultural heritage monument or artefact the natural and urban environment must also be protectedí