WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1032/99 by Luigi FLORIO Safety in road and rail tunnels
C 370/154 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 12. 1999 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1999) The maximum journey times for live animal transport between Member States have been harmonized by the adoption of Council Directive 95/29/EC of 29 June 1995 amending Directive 90/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport (1). This Directive laid down in Chapter VII, point 2 that journey times for animals belonging to the bovine, equine, caprine, ovine and porcine species shall not exceed eight hours, unless the road vehicles meet some special conditions. In these circumstances, it is laid down in Chapter VII, point 4 of the above mentioned Directive how long animals of these species may be transported by a road vehicle, before the animals need to be unloaded on staging points or at the final destination. The Commission is therefore not of the opinion that there is a need to promote further harmonization of maximum journey times for live animal transports between Member States. (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995. (1999/C 370/219) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1032/99 by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Commission (7 April 1999) Subject: Safety in road and rail tunnels The tragedy which occurred in the Mont Blanc tunnel last week starkly highlighted the lack of safety provisions in all of Europe’s road and rail tunnels. Does the Commission not consider that: (a) European legislation should be drawn up without delay to guarantee uniform safety standards for all tunnels? (b) temporary rules should be introduced governing safety provisions to be observed until such time as existing structures can be adapted to new standards? What other measures does the Commission think should be adopted to prevent similar tragedies recurring elsewhere in the Union? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1999) The Commission has noted the resolution adopted by the Parliament on 15 April 1999 on the accident in the Mont Blanc tunnel. In particular it shares the belief of the Parliament that it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions before the report of the enquiry is published. It also welcomes the Parliament’s wish to see both a speedy adoption of the proposed directive concerning the roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of vehicles (1). (1) OJ C 190, 18. 6. 1998