WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3421/97 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Implementation of Community environment legislation
16. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 187/5 The lack of transparency of the entire procedure raises vital questions regarding the effective protection of the natural environment in Greece; moreover, the appalling fact has come to light that heavy industries can now be established even in ecologically sensitive regions protected by Community legislation, and notably in regions covered by the Ramsar Convention. Will the Commission give its official views on this matter and say how it intends to make clear to the Greek authorities that they have a duty effectively to protect the natural environment? (98/C 187/06) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3421/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (31 October 1997) Subject: Implementation of Community environment legislation In making a number of amendments to certain laws and draft laws, the Greek Government is carrying out a systematic assault on the natural environment in Greece on the pretext of increasing its take-up rate of Community funds. This process began with abolishing the publication of Ministerial decisions approving the environmental criteria for projects of major economic significance and the method of approving the terms and conditions for building and operating large-scale projects by the Greek Parliament so that no checks are made on the quality of the EIAs or on whether the conditions laid down are adequate. Furthermore, the recent Law on Industry also abolished the need for prior approval of the location of an industry. Article 4 of Law 2516/97 abolishes the need for prior approval of the location of industrial activities before they are established, which means in practice that hazardous industrial activities may be set up without taking account of the broader planning and environmental implications. Moreover, a recent law on the regions abolished the fundamental statutory requirement to carry out an EIA before commencing works, even including work to set up landfill sites. (Article 23 of Law 2503/97 allows contracts for creating landfill sites toto be awarded before any EIA has been carried out). Finally, a recent draft law already before the Greek Parliament attempts to abolish the role and the responsibilities of the Ministry for the Environment, Regional Planing and Public Works (Article 59) by transferring some of its basic powers to the Ministry of Agriculture. Given that such measures are contrary to the environment policy defined in Article 130r of the Treaty, will the Commission say in what way the above actions are consistent with Article 7 of the Regulation on the Structural Funds which states that: Projects financed by the Structural Funds must be consistent with EU policies, particularly those concerning environmental protectioní and what measures will it take to compel the relevant Greek authorities to respect and implement existing Community law? Joint answer to Written Questions E-3297/97 and E-3421/97 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1997) Member States are obliged to communicate to the Commission any legislative act transposing Community legislation as well as related amendments. The Commission is not aware of the recent amendments to certain laws which, according to the Honourable Member, were introduced by the Greek government in the framework of the environmental impact assessment, and which might be contrary to Community environment policy and legislation. Because of the seriousness of the matters raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission will contact the Greek authorities in order to ensure that any amendments or new laws concerning the environmental impact assessment are in conformity with Community legislation and policy in the field of the environment