WRITTEN QUESTION E-0319/00 by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Environmental pollution and health.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/123 (2000/C 330 E/136) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0319/00 by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Environmental pollution and health Considering the close relationship between environmental pollution and public health, how does the Commission see coordination between these two areas developing? For instance, is the Commission satisfied that the Commission for the Environment still retains control of releases of genetically modified organisms? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) The link between environmental problems and public health has been and remains a strong factor in both Community environment and public health policies. The two services involved are each in the process of preparing medium ü and longer range policy plan proposals to be adopted by the Commission later this year. Directorate general Environment is preparing a proposal for the sixth environment action programme. Directorate general Health and consumer protec- tion is preparing a Community strategy in the field of public health, including action programmes in the field of Environment and healthí. In the preparatory work of these environmental and public health policy programmes, both services are particularly concerned that inter-service discussion and co-ordination safeguards the link between environment and health. The existing regulatory framework in relation to genetically modified organisms aims to ensure protection of human health and the environment. It is founded on Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (1) and Council Directive 90/219/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (1), as amended by Council Directive 98/81/EEC of 26 October 1998 (2). Other aspects of GMOs, such as novel food, fall under the responsibility of the member of the Commission responsible for health and consumer protection, with whom there is a continuing and close collaboration. The Commission continues to ensure that these aspects are correctly co-ordinated among the services involved. (1) OJ L 117, 8. 5. 1990. (2) OJ L 330, 5. 12. 1998. (2000/C 330 E/137) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0320/00 by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Biosafety Protocol Conference and the decision-making process How does the Commission decide what stance the European delegation should take in fora such as the Biosafety Protocol Conference in Montreal, when European legislation on genetic engineering (in particular Directive 90/220/EEC (1) is still mired in controversy? (1) OJ L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 15