WRITTEN QUESTION P-2423/99 by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission. Waste incineration plant at Battipaglia (Italy).
C 219 E/158 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 It was in this context that, on 21 October 1999, Mr Abderrahmane Youssoufi, the Moroccan Prime Minister, visited Brussels for a symposium on the common destiny of Morocco and Europe organised by the Euro-Moroccan Friendship Society and supported by the Presidency of the European Parliament. Mr Youssoufi also met the President of the Commission and the Member responsible for external relations who took the opportunity to discuss developing relations between Europe and Morocco in the light of the entry into force of the Association Agreement. The Commission will widen and deepen relations with Morocco under the Euro-Mediterranean partner- ship. (2000/C 219 E/201) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2423/99 by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Waste incineration plant at Battipaglia (Italy) By means of Decree No 27/97 the Region of Campania approved the regional plan for waste disposal, which identifies the industrial development zone of the district of Battipaglia as a suitable location for the construction of a plant designed to produce energy using waste-derived fuel. The zone in question is in the immediate vicinity of the urban centre and is therefore densely populated. The siting of a waste incinerator in the Battipaglia industrial development zone would have serious effects on the area and would lead to a breach of environmental quality standards which are already under threat. In addition, the area is a centre for tourism and agriculture, particularly the dairy industry, and the construction of plant of this kind would seriously jeopardise the whole economic and social balance of the Sele plain. In the light of the above: ü will the Commission ascertain whether the above reports are true? ü will it say whether the construction of a waste incineration plant in the abovementioned area represents a breach of Council directives 89/369/EEC, 89/429/EEC and 94/67/EEC on Community waste management strategy, the Council resolution of 24 February 1997 (97/C 76/01) and the proposal for a Council directive on waste incineration (COM(98) 558), as well as other Community rules on environment protection? ü if so, will it ask the Italian government to find a different and more suitable location for the plant? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (11 January 2000) Council Directives 89/369/EEC of 8 June 1989 on the prevention of air pollution from new municipal waste incineration plants (1), 89/429/EEC of 21 June 1989 on the reduction of air pollution from existing municipal waste-incineration plants (2) and 94/67/EC of 16 December 1994 on the incineration of hazardous waste (3) are of application only with reference to operational installations and, therefore, cannot be considered relevant to this case, since this plant for waste incineration with energy recovery in Battipaglia (Salerno) appears not to have been constructed yet. In addition, the resolutions of the Council and the proposals for directives, quoted by the Honourable Member, do not have legally binding effects in this case. 1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/159 However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, from which it can be deduced that there could be problems for the location of this plant, the Commission considers that Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (4), can be of application in this case. The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to ensure the observance of Community law and in particular of the Directive mentioned. (1) OJ L 163, 14. 6. 1989. (2) OJ L 203, 15. 7. 1989. (3) OJ L 365, 31. 12. 1994. (4) OJ L 73, 14. 3. 1997. (2000/C 219 E/202) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2424/99 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Recognition of sport in the Treaty The 1992 European Sports Charter recognised the social function of sport, while the declaration on sport attached to the Amsterdam Treaty emphasises áthe social significance of sport, in particular its role in forging identity and bringing people togetherí. Because of its special characteristics, sport has a unique and specific value and cannot be treated in the same way as other economic activities, as it is under current legislation. The Bosman ruling of 15 December 1995 by the European Court of Justice has made it possible for professional athletes to be transferred freely between the Member States with no restrictions on number, a the situation which threatens to undermine national opportunities for the development of young athletes. In addition, by virtue of the subsidiarity principle, the autonomy of the sports bodies and national structures required to regulate the sector must be respected. identification with sports teams and restrict The European Council in Vienna on 11 and 12 December 1998 also recognised the social role of sport and asked the Commission to draw up a report for the European Council in Helsinki in preparation for the Intergovernmental Conference. In the light of the above: 1. Has the Commission set up working parties to draw up the report in question? 2. 3. Is the Commission making progress with the report and will it complete its work in time for the Helsinki summit? In the light of the forthcoming intergovernmental conference, does it think it would be appropriate to table a formal amendment to the Treaty, adding an article to Title XII (ex Title IX), as has already been done in the cultural sector, recognising the specific nature and special requirements of sport and stressing the need for the subsidiarity principle to govern Community action in this field? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (7 January 2000) for the Helsinki Council, In preparing the report on sport 1. the Commission adhered to the Amsterdam declarationís request that sports bodies should be consulted where important issues related to sport are concerned. To this end, the Commission published a discussion paper which received many responses and comments from the sports bodies. This document was used as a basis for the European Sports Conference, which was held in Olympia in May 1999. The Conference offered a special opportunity for all those involved in the world of sport ü federations, public authorities, other Community institutions, industry, the media ü to express their views on sport. Finally, the Commission also took into account the report by the Committee of the Regions on sport