WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2060/97 by Pierre BERNARD-REYMOND to the Commission. Radioactivity in the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes- Maritimes
10. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 45/151 Given the sectoral nature of the aid and the fact that it has been granted to sensitive sectors in crisis, the Commission cannot regard the aid as being compatible with the common market under the guidelines on aid to employment (1). Following its decision, the French authorities announced their intention of notifying to the Commission a new plan for reducing social security contributions. The Commission is waiting to hear from the new French Government what its position on the matter is. Apart from the experimental measures to reduce social security contributions which were introduced by the Italian authorities to promote production and employment in the footwear industry and which were the subject of a negative final decision by it (2), the Commission is unaware of any measures of this kind that may have been introduced in Member States in the sectors referred to by the Honourable Member. Similarly, its attention has not been drawn to similar measures from which the sectors in question might have benefited in third countries. (1) OJ C 334, 12. 12. 1995. (2) OJ L 231, 12. 9. 1996. (98/C 45/198) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2060/97 by Pierre Bernard-Reymond (PPE) to the Commission (16 June 1997) Subject: Radioactivity in the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-Maritimes The CRII-RAD claims it has detected abnormally high levels of radioactivity in the nature reserves of Mercantour (Alpes-Maritimes) and Ecrins (Hautes-Alpes) in France. Does the Commission have legal competence in this matter and can it provide any information on the subject? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1997) The Commission is aware of the Commission de recherche et díinformation inde·pendante sur la radio activite·í (CRII-RAD) findings of elevated levels of radioactive contamination in the areas mentioned by the Honourable Member. Under the terms of the Community basic safety standards on protection from the hazards of ionizing radiation (Directive 96/29/Euratom) (1), it is the responsibility of the Member States to ensure that Community obligations are respected. The Commission’s role is limited to that of guardian of the treaty and it would only intervene when it has evidence of a failure of a Member State to meet such obligations. In the present case the CRII RAD found evidence of elevated levels of radioactive contamination in soil and in mushrooms. However, the evaluation of the consequent exposure of the population is not straightforward, depending as it does on the lifestyle of individuals in the region. Consequently the levels of soil contamination measured are insufficient to demonstrate to the Commission any breach of Community requirements. As regards mushrooms the limit of 600 becquerel per kilogramme of radioactive caesium applies to commercial imports of certain agricultural products from third countries. The presence of higher levels in Community produce does not in itself breach Community requirements. (1) OJ L 159, 29. 6. 1996