WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2094/98 by Alfonso NOVO BELENGUER to the Commission. Pollution in the river Segura
29. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 118/23 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (1 October 1998) Present Community legislation provides for the control of the use of certain chemicals in order to protect man (including workers and consumers) and the environment. Council Regulation (EEC) 793/93 (1) establishes a general framework for the systematic evaluation and control of the risks of áexisting chemical substancesí, that is the substances used within the Community before September 1981 and listed in the European inventory of existing commercial chemical substances (Einecs). Due to the large number of substances listed in Einecs (about 100 000), a priority-setting approach was introduced by the Regulation. Three priority lists of 109 substances were drawn up. These substances, which require attention as chemicals which might pose a risk to man and the environment and for which a risk assessment should be carried out, are listed in three Commission regulations adopted in the period 1994-1997. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile is a substance which, whilst listed in Einecs, is not included so far in one of the three priority lists. However, the Commission, in consultation with the Member States, has recently started work to draw up a new list of priority substances requiring immediate attention because of their potential effects on man or the environment. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile may then be considered as a substance candidate for this new fourth priority list. It may however be noted that ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile has not been classified as a dangerous substance in the framework of Council Directive 67/548/EEC (2) on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances. Within the fifth framework programme for research and technological development (RTD) (1998- 2002) (3) it will be possible to apply for research on the health effects of CS gas, specifically under key action 1 Health, food and environmental researchí. (1) OJ L 84, 5. 4. 1993. (2) OJ L 196, 16. 8. 1967. (3) COM(98) 8. (1999/C 118/028) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2094/98 by Alfonso Novo Belenguer (ARE) to the Commission Subject: Pollution in the river Segura (30 June 1998) The river Segura flows through three autonomous regions of Spain: Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia. Industry, agriculture and tourism are chiefly to blame for the riverís high pollution level, thus creating a further problem to add to that of the waterís high salt content. The number of waste discharges into the Segura exceeds 1500. This situation as a whole poses a threat to the river itself, to the environment, and to the quality of life of the people living near the river. Is the Commission aware of the current state of the quality of the water in the river Segura? If so, can it provide the relevant information? What measures has the Commission taken, or does it intend to take, to combat the pollution level in the river Segura?