WRITTEN QUESTION E-0943/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Ban on the use of impregnating salts for treatment of wood.
13. 3. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 81 E/13 (2001/C 81 E/013) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0943/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council (30 March 2000) Subject: Ban on the use of impregnating salts for treatment of wood The use of impregnating salts to treat wood (impregnated wood) has serious consequences for humans and the environment. Such salts contain highly toxic arsenic, chromium IV and copper. Impregnated wood is used among other things in summer houses, fencing, toys, pergolas, garden furniture and rail sleepers. Since February 2000 in the Netherlands there has been a ban on sales of all products made from impregnated wood. The State Council issued a ruling against the cutting up of impregnated wood. Nor may such wood be considered as a fuel for power stations, as a constituent of chipboard and cattlefeed, as compost in gardens and around trees, or as a substitute for straw in cowsheds. However, it would now appear from press reports that the Dutch Government will turn a blind eye to the exportation to other EU Member States of carcinogenic woodshavings for the production of chipboard, toys and the like, thus contravening both the letter and the spirit of various EU directives. Is the Council aware of the exportation of carcinogenic woodshavings from the Netherlands to other EU Member States? (a) If so, which are those countries? (b) If not, does the Council think there should be an inquiry, in view of the negative consequences for humans and the environment and the infringement of various EU directives? Reply (29 September 2000) As the Honourable Member is aware, exports of impregnated wood in the form of waste are covered by Regulation No 259/93 on the supervision and control of shipment of waste within, into and out of the European Community. Furthermore, as the Honourable Member is also aware, the provisions in Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste cover a possible classification of impregnated wood. It is for the Commission to take whatever steps are deemed necessary to ensure the proper application of the above Community legislation. (2001/C 81 E/014) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0998/00 by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Council Subject: Restitution of property in the applicant countries (30 March 2000) Many Union citizens are descendants of persons whose property in central and eastern Europe was seized during the Nazi occupation or the Holocaust period or durings and after the subsequent Communist takeover. Will the Council insist, as an essential condition for the accession of the new Member States to the European Union, that they adopt and implement effective schemes to restore property unlawfully seized?