WRITTEN QUESTION P-1847/99 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Waste tip in Dos Aguas, Valencia, Spain.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/33 This new measure should enable Belgium to implement, as other Member States have already done or will do, the positions taken by the OECD and the Commission on ending the deductibility of bribes paid to foreign public officials. (1) COM(97) 192 final. (2000/C 219 E/040) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1847/99 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission Subject: Waste tip in Dos Aguas, Valencia, Spain (11 October 1999) In its reply to my Question E-1528/99 (1) on the Dos Aguas waste tip in the Valencia region the outgoing Commission stated that it was unaware of the facts concerned and that it would hold the talks required to clarify the issue and establish that the relevant directives were being correctly applied. Can the new Commission state how it intends to investigate the issues raised in Question E-1528/99, given the serious risk of the pollution of water resources used both for irrigation and as drinking water? In addition, what steps has the Commission taken vis-à-vis the Spanish authorities with a view to ensuring compliance with Directives 91/156/EEC (2) and 97/11/EC (3)? Does the Commission intend to investigate the environmental in connection with this project? What measures does the Commission plan to take in order to ensure that the waste tip complies with the provisions of Article 14 of Directive 1999/31/EC (4)? impact assessment procedure carried out (1) OJ C 27 E, 29. 1. 2000, p. 111. (2) OJ L 78, 26. 3. 1991, p. 32. (3) OJ L 73, 14. 3. 1997, p. 5. (4) OJ L 182, 16. 7. 1999, p. 1. Answer given Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (22 November 1999) Following Written Question E-1528/99 (1) suspected infringement investigation into the facts set out therein (reference B-99/2191). from the Honourable Member, the Commission started a In the course of its enquiries the Commission requested the Spanish authorities to submit their observa- tions. On that occasion, information was requested on the measures taken to comply with the Directive 75/442/EEC, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC, on waste, Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/11/EC, on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, and Directive 80/68/EEC of 17 December 1979 on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances (2). The Commission has still not received a reply from the Spanish authorities. The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of the results of its investigations. On the specific question of what measures the Commission intends to take to ensure that this waste tip conforms to Article 14 of Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste, it should be underlined that Directive 1999/31/EC entered into force on 16 July 1999. Member States are obliged to take the measures necessary to comply with it by 16 July 2001 at the latest. Under Article 14 of the Directive, Member States must take measures to ensure that landfills which have been granted a permit or which are already in operation at the time of transposition of the Directive may not continue to operate unless the steps in question are accomplished. These measures must be implemented as soon as possible C 219 E/34 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 and within eight years after 16 July 2001 at the latest. In the first instance, the Spanish authorities must take the measures necessary to comply with their obligations under the Directive. (1) OJ C 27 E, 29. 1. 2000, p. 111. (2) OJ L 20, 26. 1. 1980. (2000/C 219 E/041) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1856/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (12 October 1999) Subject: Progress made in implementing the operational health and welfare programme under the Community support framework for Greece From the Commissionís answer to a previous question by me, it emerged that implementation of the operational programme for health and welfare under the Community support framework for Greece was encountering difficulties and that the take-up of funds earmarked for this purpose was extremely slow. Can the Commission indicate the present take-up rate of the relevant funds? Have the problems affecting implementation of the programme been overcome and, if not, what is the reason for such long delays? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1999) The take-up rate of the Health and welfareí programme under the 1994-1999 Community support framework for Greece currently amounts to 41 %. This low rate is explained by the fact that the programme started rather late. Moreover, a large part of the appropriations is intended for capital expenditure on hospitals built under the regional programmes, and so dependent on the progress made in constructing those buildings. According to the information sent to the Commission by the Greek authorities, all the contracts for projects in the programme have been or are being signed. Given the nature of these projects, namely mainly purchases of equipment and the construction of small medical facilities, it is expected that all the appropriations allocated to this programme will be used by the established deadlines. With regard to assistance for human resources, the delays recorded during the first years of implementa- tion may be put down to work on developing systems and procedures to ensure better training and introduction of the changes required to improve response to highly specialised needs in the field of health. The implementation of these measures is proceeding in satisfactory fashion and the Greek authorities expect all the appropriations to be used. (2000/C 219 E/042) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1858/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (14 October 1999) Subject: Export refund limits The current proposals to limit export refunds in each budget year will ultimately adversely affect companiesí cashflow by forcing them to buy a Refund Certificate which will ácostí 25 % of the estimated refund. Will the European Union pay exporters interest on the monies held on security?