WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3687/98 by Michl EBNER to the Commission. EU directives laying down rules for the catering trade
C 297/94 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 15. 10. 1999 The Commission: 1. Is it aware of this situation and what view does it take of such a development next to the park which is receiving Community funding? 2. Can it give an assurance that environmental impact surveys have been carried out? 3. Have all other necessary measures been taken to prevent the justifiable fears of the local residents from materialising? (1999/C 297/125) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4096/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NG) to the Commission Subject: Environmental awareness park in the Athens region (14 January 1999) In the Athens urban area (municipalities of Ilion, Ag. Anargyron and Kamateron) there is a very large public estate called the Vasilissi Tower Estate. On this site and in the surrounding area an environmental awareness park is being constructed. The total investment amounts to DR 2,5 billion and is being co-funded by the EU (ERDF, urban pilot projects, Article 10). However, a large number of complaints have been received by local residents that permission has been granted for the construction of a supermarket (covering 2,7 ha. !) next to the environmental awareness park, which will cause serious traffic congestion and parking problems, pollution, etc. Will the Commission say: 1. Is it aware of this project next to the park, and how does it view this matter? 2. Can it confirm whether environmental impact studies have been carried out? 3. Have any other measures been taken to prevent the justified fears of local citizens being realised? Joint answer to Written Questions E-3680/98 and E-4096/98 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (1 February 1999) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (1999/C 297/126) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3687/98 by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission (7 December 1998) Subject: EU directives laying down rules for the catering trade The Confederation of National Hotel and Restaurant Associations in the European Community (HOTREC) has recently published a booklet on 150 EU measures concerning hotels, restaurants and cafés. It analyses in detail the more than 150 directives which have either been proposed or have already been adopted by the European Union which concern everyday activities in hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe. In recent years there has been such a sharp increase in the number of EU directives covering this area that it is questionable whether the establishments affected are in a position to comply with them or implement them. Given that there are some 150 EU directives affecting the catering trade and that it is very difficult for the businesses affected to comply with such a large number of rules, can the Commission say whether it intends to reduce the large number of directives and make them more efficient, for example by systematically taking measures through other than legislative means?