WRITTEN QUESTION E-0042/00 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Harmonisation of bans on night flights.
C 330 E/72 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Moreover, when a decision is taken, a review report with the most important information (overall conclusion, particular use or risk management conditions, major endpoints on identity, physico-chemistry, toxicology and environment) is made publicly available. The Commission has also co-financed under the second and third framework programmes for research and technical development (RTD) two projects dealing with glyphosate. In one project the interaction of humic acids and glyphosate was examined in three field sites under long term monocultures (hops, vineyard, citrus). Another project aimed to assess the soil and water quality as affected by glyphosate under three different tillage systems. The results of these projects are available at the Research Directorate general. (1) OJ L 366, 15. 12. 1992. (2) OJ L 230, 19. 8. 1991. (2000/C 330 E/078) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0035/00 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Rearing of grouse and pheasants Would the Commission inform me whether regulations governing the welfare of farmed animals also apply to the rearing of grouse and pheasants when they are farmed for the purpose of being shot for sport? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) The minimum requirements concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes are provided by Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 (1). In Article 1 paragraph 2 of the above mentioned Directive it is stated that it shall not apply to á( ) animals intended for use in competitions, shows, cultural or sporting events or activitiesí. Furthermore the Directive does not apply to animals living in the wild. In conclusion pheasants and grouse farmed for subsequent release into the wild for the purpose of the sport or activity of shooting are not covered by the Directive. (1) OJ L 221, 8. 8. 1998. (2000/C 330 E/079) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0042/00 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission Subject: Harmonisation of bans on night flights (19 January 2000) The Belgian transport minister, Mrs Isabelle Durant, recently announced that, as from the middle of 1. 2003, night flights will no longer be permitted at Zaventem national airport between the hours of 1 and 5 a. m. Could the Commission give an overview of the current situation regarding bans on commercial 2. flights (both passenger and freight flights) at the main airports in the 15 EU Member States? 3. Would the Commission be willing to propose a directive with a view to harmonising bans on night flights, in order to create a level playing field and to improve the situation with regard to the effects of noise pollution at night and in the morning on the health of citizens? 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/73 Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (3 March 2000) The information currently available to the Commission indicates that there is a total ban on night flights at Paris Orly, and a ban on night flights with an exemption for postal cargo flights at Munich and Berlin Tegel. There is a limitation on the number of movements during the night at Munich (outside curfew hours), London Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted, Manchester, and Stockholm. In addition, noisy aircraft are banned during the night at a significant number of airports including Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, London Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted, Manchester, Madrid-Barajas, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam. In its recently adopted communication on air transport and environment ü Towards meeting the challenges of sustainable development (1) the Commission launched a debate on the appropriateness of establishing a Community framework for decision-making procedures in the field of environmental operating restrictions at Community airports. As set out in this communication, the Commission is not convinced that uniform and binding rules on operating restrictions, such as a ban on night flights, applicable at all Community airports would provide the best-balanced solution for the noise problems at a particular airport. Such decisions should continue to be taken at local level. However, the Commission is of the opinion that there should be a common framework for the procedures leading to these decisions. Such a framework could include obligatory consultation of all concerned including people living around airports, sufficient time for operators to adapt to new restrictions, and a common basis for assessing the environmental effectiveness of the operational restrictions. (1) COM(1999) 640 final. (2000/C 330 E/080) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0065/00 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Milan airport system: Malpensa ü Linate ü Orio al Serio The European Community has included the Milan airport system in its list of category 1 airports and has specified that the system comprises the airports of Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Bergamo Orio al Serio (shown in the destinations table under the official name Milan-Orio International Airportí). Malpensa airport is one of the priority projects that have been established at European level and financed by 500 billion lire in EIB assistance. In addition, the development plan for the Milan airport system, which was approved at government level and authorised by the Community some time ago, gave the airport of Bergamo Orio al Serio a prominent role as the east Lombardy pole, and significant sums have been invested in it (100 billion lire by the operating company alone over the last three years). The ban on the transfer of flights from Linate to Malpensa, which was imposed a few hours before the planned deadline of 15 December 1999, has made the future of the air traffic system in northern Italy totally uncertain, with consequences for the progress of operations for both European border links and the development of connections with the Mediterranean area. In the light of the above, what measures does the Community intend to take to ensure that the programmes that have been set up are adhered to and to avoid a loss of efficiency and competitiveness in the airport system caused by unsustainable competition between the airports of Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio, in breach of the rules set for operating limits on the airport of Linate, which is only supposed to remain open for the Milan ü Rome Fiumicino shuttle service?