WRITTEN QUESTION P-2711/99 by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission. Noise pollution.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/3 In taking part in this meeting, does Mr Prodi believe he has fully represented the various strands of political and cultural opinion within the EU and its institutions? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (21 February 2000) Mr Prodi took part as an observer in a meeting between centre-left Heads of State and Government on Sunday 21 November 1999 on topics directly concerning Europeís development prospects in relation to globalisation. The day before, he had addressed the opening session, which was separate from the formal proceedings of the summit. His contribution to the meeting can be summarised as a presentation of his vision for and ideas on the European social model and the fight against unemployment. He has expressed his ideas on numerous occasions, before Parliament and elsewhere. The President of the Commission has a political function to perform. In keeping with the obligations imposed by that function, he retains the right to express his political views in complete independence and on his own responsibility. (2001/C 46 E/004) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2711/99 by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission (11 January 2000) Subject: Noise pollution Everybody who lives near noise sources run risks to his or her health. The effects may vary according to the physical characteristics of the noise, the times when and the way in which the noise is emitted, and can be classified as causing damage, nuisance or annoyance. Exposure to noise can have serious effects on the hearing, as well as causing light-headedness, speech difficulties, memory problems, fatigue, violent headaches, general exhaustion, irritability and anxiety. Sleep disturbances caused by noise lead to problems and personality changes. Can the Commission therefore say what has been and is being done in Europe to safeguard the health of all citizens and what measures have been put into effect to mitigate the problem and reduce noise levels? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (3 February 2000) The effects of noise pollution on health, for example memory loss, fatigue, irritability and others, have been widely documented in medical literature. They have been a public health concern for some time. The reduction of noise in the environment, in the home and in the workplace is a long-term task. Several European legislative texts regulate noise by limiting emission levels. The most important of these are Council Directives 86/594/EEC of 1 December 1986 on airborne noise emitted by household appliances (1) and 86/188/EEC of 12 May 1986 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to noise at work (2). The latter will shortly be revised within the process of revising the Directive on protecting the health of workers from exposure to vibrations, noise and electromagnetic fields (3). This Directive has now been split, and only the vibrations aspect is currently being discussed in the Council. A Green Paper has been published on exposure of the public to noise: the Commission Green Paper of 4 November 1996 ü Future noise policy (4). The Commission is also working to reduce noise emissions from aeroplanes by using silencers, and is funding research and noise prevention work via the programme of Community action on pollution-related diseases (5). C 46 E/4 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 As a result of these factors the noise levels to which the public is subjected will be progressively reduced and public health will therefore improve, in accordance with the competence conferred on the Com- mission by Article 152 (ex Article 129) of the EC Treaty. (1) OJ L 344, 6. 12. 1986. (2) OJ L 137, 24. 5. 1986. (3) COM(94) 284 final. (4) COM(96) 540 final. (5) OJ C 219, 30. 7. 1999. (2001/C 46 E/005) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0100/00 by Theresa Zabell (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Social security arrangements for sportsmen and women Can the Commission provide information regarding the social security arrangements introduced in the various European Union countries for the benefit of sportsmen and women who are regarded as amateurs but who nonetheless engage in sport at Olympic and/or some other high level? 1. What cover is provided during and after any sporting activity? 2. What are the entitlements in the event of temporary or permanent disablement? 3. Is there any relevant EU legislation? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (7 February 2000) The legislation applicable to amateur sportspersons is the same as that applicable to employed or self- employed persons, and their contributions are paid into the national social security systems in accordance with the laws of the Member States in which they are insured. For information on social protection systems in the Member States, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its MISSOC (Mutual Information System on Social Protection in the European Union) Report which can be found on the Europa website at the following address: http://europa. eu. int/comm/dg05/soc-prot/missoc98 Where amateur sportspersons move within the Member States their rights are coordinated by Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 118/97 of 2 December 1996 amending and updating Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community, and Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (1), which also covers, among other things, the risk of disablement. (1) OJ L 28, 30. 1. 1997. (2001/C 46 E/006) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0183/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Pollution of the ground water in various regions of Greece (31 January 2000) According to recent Greece press reports, the ground water in a number of regions of Greece, and in particular in the plains of Thessaly, Ilia, Messinia and Thessaloniki, contains concentrations of nitrates far above the permitted limit