WRITTEN QUESTION E-0445/00 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission. Air quality institute.
C 53 E/4 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 the expansion of Caulerpa taxifolia. These projects aimed to raise the awareness of public bodies, private interested parties and the general public, to map the areas covered by the algae, to carry out experiments on means of controlling this expansion and to design a possible strategy of control or containment. The project results confirmed that the spread of Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean Basin constitutes a potential threat for biodiversity, mainly at the cost of other algae or at cost of marine plants (e. g. posidonia oceanica, cymodocea nodosa), and for some human activities, in widely affected areas. Moreover such studies have mapped the areas covered by Caulerpa taxifolia, at least those known at present, and monitored the rate of expansion of such colonisation. There is some scientific evidence of effects on fish but mainly not on species targeted by commercial fisheries. With regard to a possible impact on artisanal fisheries, at present no scientific documentation reports negative effects on fisheries. Fishermen can play an important role in preventing dissemination and slowing down the spread of the algae, by inspecting their anchors and fishing gear and not throwing the fragments of the seaweed back into the sea. Concerning the issue of compensation measures for fishermen operating on fishing grounds affected by this algae, the Commission is of the opinion that the problem of caulerpa taxifolia does not meet the criteria for compensation measures envisaged within Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1). (1) OJ L 337, 30. 12. 1999. (2001/C 53 E/006) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0445/00 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission (24 February 2000) Subject: Air quality institute The Health Effects Institute (HEI) has been set up in the USA to assess problems relating in particular to air quality and their possible implications for human health. Half its funding comes from the US Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) and half from industry. HEI analyses offer an excellent an independent basis for decision-making. What is the Commissionís assessment of the work of the Health Effects Institute in the USA? Is the Commission contemplating the establishment of a similar institute in Europe? Has any action been taken to that effect? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (7 April 2000) The Commission is aware of the work of the Health effects institute. Research and other work organised by the Institute has been an important input to the United States-Environment protection agency (EPAís) recent analyses of the risks of air pollution to human health. This outcome of the Institute has also been taken into account by the World health organisation and by Member States in similar work in Europe. The Commission is presently developing plans for a new integrated clean air programme. It intends to make a first report concerning the programme in 2004, covering risks to health and the environment, and any further action that should be taken to reduce them. The Commission has engaged consultants to provide advice on aspects of programme organisation. It will consider a range of options, including options for how best to obtain information on health effects, in the light of the results later this year