WRITTEN QUESTION E-1588/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Failure by Greece to give notification of waste management programmes.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/9 industrial fisheries by Community vessels in the Since the inception of the common fisheries policy, Northeast Atlantic have always been subject to management rules. These rules include nowadays limitation of catches by TACs (total allowable catches), covering all species targeted for industrial purposes. TACs are fixed annually by the Council, on a proposal by the Commission which is based on the most recent and relevant scientific advice. Scientific advice takes into account environmental and ecological aspects. Whenever scientific evidence will suggest that TACs should be reduced in order to ensure that fishing activities are carried out at a sustainable level, the Commission will certainly issue a proposal for a Council regulation to adapt TACs and quotas accordingly. The Commission will also evaluate in parallel the need to propose further management measures as appropriate. (2000/C 203 E/010) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1588/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Failure by Greece to give notification of waste management programmes The Commission has decided to initiate proceedings before the European Court against Greece for failure to give notification of waste management programmes in accordance with Directives 75/442 (1), 91/689 (2) and 94/62 (3). Greece has now provided information concerning waste management within its territory. Can the Commission answer the following: 1. Does it know the reasons for the delay by Greece in announcing its programmes? 2. What view does it take of the information provided by Greece? 3. Is Greece complying with the provisions of the above directives and, if not, in which areas is it out of line? (1) OJ L 194, 25. 7. 1975, p. 39. (2) OJ L 377, 31. 12. 1991, p. 20. (3) OJ L 365, 31. 12. 1994, p. 10. Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (25 October 1999) Having noted that Greece had not reported waste management programmes, in infringement of Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste, Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on dangerous wastes, and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging, the Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Greece. As part of those proceedings the Greek authorities notified the Commission of a draft plan in December 1998. During a bilateral meeting in May 1999 the Commission commented to the Greek authorities on the gaps in the draft waste management plan. In the absence of any reaction from the Greek authorities the Commission decided to lay the matter before the Court of Justice on 1 July 1999. On 31 August 1999 the Greek authorities passed on their comments concerning those made by the Commission on the draft waste management plan without, however, amending that draft. The Commission has not been given any specific reasons for the delay in drawing up the waste management plans in Greece. The Commission is anxious to point out that infringement proceedings are also in progress against 12 other Member States as a result of a delay in sending waste management plans