WRITTEN QUESTION E-0587/00 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. European sustainable transport policy.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/113 In the road sector, the Commission recently published (1) a follow-up communication to its road safety communication of 1997 detailing progress made in the action programme for road safety 1997-2001 and setting priorities for future action. The Commission has also just made another fundamental step forwards towards the enhancement of maritime safety in the Community waters through the adoption on 21 March 2000 of a communication on the safety of the seaborne oil-trade (2) in which it proposes to strengthen the existing legislation on port state controls and classification societies, but also to phase out oil tankers with a single hull in Community waters. In the air transport, Commission is also acting in particular as regards safety through the creation of a European aviation safety authority, which would ensure through the integration of national systems a high and harmonised level of security. (1) COM(2000) 125 final. (2) COM(2000) 142. (2000/C 374 E/133) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0587/00 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (29 February 2000) Subject: European sustainable transport policy What is the Commissionís view of the inherent tension between the desire to see the economic benefits of T-TEN arrive speedily and concern that enviornmental issues should be properly addressed? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (13 April 2000) Article 6 (ex Article 3c) of the EC Treaty requires that environmental considerations be integrated into all aspects of Community policies in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development. Integration of environmental considerations is also called for under Article 2 of the Community guidelines for the development of the Trans European transport network (TEN-T) adopted by the Parliament and Council by co-decision in 1996 (1). This sets out that the network should be developed to ensure the sustainable mobility of goods and people to help achieve the Communityís objectives particularly in regard to the environment and competition, and contribute to strengthening economic and social cohesion. Article 2 further sets out that development of the network should take full account of the comparative advantages of all modes of transport and allow the optimal use of infrastructure capacities. The guidelines set 2010 as the time horizon to complete the TEN-T. The Commission is working with Member States and all concerned to ensure that this target is met and that in so doing long term sustainable benefits are achieved for the Communityís citizens and businesses. Where applicable, projects of common interest for development of the TEN-T are subject to environmental impact assessment under Community legislation. The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on strategic impacts of certain plans and programmes (2). The Council reached assessment of the environmental unanimous political agreement at first reading on this proposal in December 1999. The Commission considers that the use of strategic environmental assessment from the earliest stages of national planning processes involving the consideration of different policy and infrastructure development options could significantly enhance the integration of transport and environmental considerations and help reduce the need for environmental mitigation measures at project level. C 374 E/114 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 The Commission is currently considering how best to take forward these issues in its report on the revision of the TEN-T guidelines that will be submitted to the Council and Parliament this summer. (1) OJ L 228, 9. 9. 1996. (2) OJ C 83, 25. 3. 1999. (2000/C 374 E/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0591/00 by Reinhold Messner (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (29 February 2000) Subject: Quarry in val Coalba An aggregates quarry located in the beautiful val Coalba (municipality of Villa Agnedo), which is to form part of the future Brenta riverside park, has applied for a renewal of its authorisation to quarry for gravel. The proposed extension is to run for at least thirteen years and involve the removal of an overall total of 950 000 cubic metres of material. When the Province of Trentoís urban development plan was revised in 1987, environmental restraints were placed on the site, which is of unquestionable natural beauty. The quarrying work would have serious repercussions, causing environmental damage in an area known for its geological features, flora and fauna, possibly disturbing the hydrogeological balance and under- mining the safety of the road network, and transfiguring a site that is to become one of the main features of the future Brenta riverside park. The mouth of the valley, where the aggregates are processed, forms part of a bicycle trail and of plans for a riverside park which the Provincial Council is including, together with those for the valle del Chiese, in the economic programming document covering local projects to receive European Union funding over the next five years. Would the Commission not agree that, in view of the possible geological risks involved, an environmental impact assessment should be carried out? Would it not agree that there is a contradiction in terms between promoting tourism in the val Coalba and accepting the presence of a quarry that seriously detracts from the natural beauty of the site? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (31 March 2000) The Commission does not have competence to carry out environmental (EIA) procedures with reference to the projects covered by the Community legislation on EIA. According to Council Directives 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985, on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (1) and 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2) which has modified Directive 85/337/EEC, it is Member States which are competent to carry out EIA procedures with reference to the projects located in their territory. impact assessment As regards the nature conservation aspect, the site mentioned by the Honourable Member is not considered among the protected areas concerned by Council Directives 79/409/EEC of 7 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (3), or 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (4). The Commission, in the light of the powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty, has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law. As the guardian of the EC Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all necessary measures, the EC Treaty, in order to ensure the observance of Community law. including infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of