WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3743/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Chemicals which disrupt reproduction
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/113 (98/C 174/174) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3742/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (21 November 1997) Subject: Conflict between structural funds and environment Given the over-abstraction from aquifers caused by intensive irrigation around the River Guadiana in Spain and Portugal, is the Commission aware that the structural funding for the construction of Alqueva dam in Portugal will threaten important wetlands including those of the Daviniel National Park, thus acting in contradiction of the biodiversity strategy? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1997) Following Portugalís application for the granting of Structural Fund assistance to the Alqueva project, several assessments were made of the latterís environmental impact, assessments which helped to produce guidelines for the drawing-up of an environmental management plan for the area concerned. The plan subsequently drawn up by the Portuguese authorities and presented to the Commission includes some minimizing and compensatory measures aimed in particular at lessening the effects of the project on the biodiversity of the region. On 27 July 1997, in the process of endorsing the programme, and aware as it was of the importance of the environment in the context of the implementation of the project, the Commission provided for the setting up of a number of technical monitoring groups, including one dealing with water issues and one dealing with nature conservancy. The Commission, the authorities with special responsibility for the environment and non- governmental environmental organizations will be represented on those groups. The Commissionís presence will, in particular, make it possible to verify that the environmental management plan for the Alqueva area is being implemented properly. (98/C 174/175) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3743/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (21 November 1997) Subject: Chemicals which disrupt reproduction What is the view of the Commission about alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) [oestrogenic chemicals known to disrupt fish reproduction] which are used in cleaners, dehumidifiers, corrosion inhibitors and de-oilers; is the use of these products regulated in any way? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (7 January 1998) Alkyl phenol ethoxylates, including their degradation product nonyl phenol, belong to a group of chemicals which has given cause for concern due to its effects in the aquatic environment. Lately, the alkyl phenyl ethoxylates have also been discussed in relation to endocrine disruption. The Commission is currently forming its view on the risks posed by the alkyl phenyl ethoxylates. Nonyl phenol has been given priority for risk assessment under Regulation (EEC) No 93/793 of 23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risk of existing substance (1). The outcome of the risk assessment, carried out by the competent authority in the United Kingdom, will include, if appropriate, a strategy for limiting the risks. The result of the risk evaluation and a recommended strategy will be adopted at Community level and published by the Commission. The Commission may then decide to propose Community measures within the framework of relevant legislation