WRITTEN QUESTION E-0411/00 by Pasqualina Napoletano (PSE) to the Council. Mission financed by the Commission for customs reform in Albania.
C 330 E/154 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 (2000/C 330 E/174) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0409/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission (15 February 2000) Subject: Reduction of peat use in horticulture What steps is the Commission taking to encourage a reduction in the use of peat in domestic and commercial horticulture and to promote the use of alternatives in order to protect lowland peatbog habitats? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (31 March 2000) With regard to the search for alternatives to the use of peat in horticulture, the Commission is evaluating the possibility of regulating the production of compost from the biodegradable fraction of municipal waste. Compost of suitable quality (in terms of presence of heavy metals, organic compounds and pathogens) may replace peat in a number of applications in domestic and commercial horticulture. However, the key mechanism involving the Community for the protection of lowland peatbog habitats is the establishment of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1). The Community has also supported many projects for the conservation and restoration of peatbogs under the Life Regulation. (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, as amended by Council Directive 97/62/CE of 27. 10. 1997, OJ L 305, 8. 11. 1997. (2000/C 330 E/175) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0411/00 by Pasqualina Napoletano (PSE) to the Council (17 February 2000) Subject: Mission financed by the Commission for customs reform in Albania Mrs Natalina Cea, head of the mission financed by the Commission in Albania for customs reform, has announced that after three years she is leaving the post which she has filled with great professionalism, having shown commitment and courage in carrying out her tasks throughout this period. The mission has achieved positive results, having put the Albanian customs system back into operation and thus permitted a very large increase in State customs revenue; in addition, it has provided crucial help in redrafting Albanian customs legislation. Mrs Cea has reported a serious climate of intimidation and obstacles in carrying out her work. The Italian customs department, from which Mrs Cea was transferred, has always actively supported and valued the work of the head of the mission and, on learning of her request for rotation, submitted to the Commission a proposal for her replacement, thus confirming its own commitment to continuing in this difficult ongoing mission with the aim of combating illegality and intensifying the fight against crime. In the light of the above: 1. What is the Councilís view on the situation in Albania with regard to this specific delicate area of cooperation? 2. Does it not consider that the mission should be stepped up further and actively supported, despite the obstacles met with to date? 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/155 3. In view of the commitment of and the specific experience acquired by the Italian customs department in this field, does the Council not consider that, in order to guarantee the continued effectiveness of the mission, it would be advisable to maintain a close relationship with the Italian customs department and therefore give priority consideration to the candidate already put forward by the department to replace Mrs Cea? Reply (2 May 2000) The Council has, on several occasions, confirmed the readiness of the European Union to support Albania in its stabilisation and reform process, in particular through ongoing Community assistance. While welcoming the efforts made by the Albanian authorities in tackling economic, political and institutional weaknesses, the Council has also made it clear that a condition for a successful participation of the country in the Stabilisation and Association Process for South East Europe, will be that a number of issues are addressed, in particular the consolidation of the rule of law and acceleration of structural reforms. The setting up of a stable and effective customs administration clearly is one of the issues, and the particular project to which the Honourable Parliamentarian makes reference, the Customs Assistance Mission, is the most important project financed by the Community in this field, and the Council follows it with great interest and concern. The Council hence shares the view of the Honourable Parliamentarian that continued effectiveness of the Customs Mission is of the utmost importance. It therefore regrets the departure of the Head of Mission. The Council clearly cannot express itself on management and appointments within the Mission. It will, however, support the Commission in its efforts to conduct a selection procedure based on professional qualifications, which will allow for the appointment of a new Head of Mission who fulfils the requirements for the job. In this context the Council would like to refer to the answer by the Commission to your written question number P-405/00. (2000/C 330 E/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0419/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 February 2000) Subject: Eliminating the dangers of using depleted uranium in (civil) aviation 1. Is the Commission aware of the report in the New Scientist (UK) for 15 January 2000 investigating the crash of the Korean-Air Boeing 747 in Essex, UK, in December 1999, which reveals in particular that the (civilian) airliner was carrying 300 kg of depleted uranium in the tail, not as cargo but as a counterweight? Is the Commission aware that such quantities of depleted uranium are built into older aircraft in 2. particular on a large scale? 3. Is the Commission also aware of the serious dangers to public health that can be caused by depleted uranium, the best known examples being the Bijlmermeer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) air crash and, on a vastly greater scale, the Gulf War in Iraq? Can the Commission state to what rules, European or worldwide, the use of depleted uranium in 4. aircraft construction is subject? Can the Commission state what rules exist concerning the processing of depleted uranium during the 5. dismantling of aircraft and the processing of depleted uranium in the event of disasters? 6. What action will the Commission take to eliminate completely the dangers posed by the use of depleted uranium in aircraft?