WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3360/98 by Irene SOLTWEDEL-SCHÄFER to the Commission. Eco-audit
21. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 142/125 (1999/C 142/157) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3360/98 by Irene Soltwedel-Schäfer (V) to the Commission (16 November 1998) Subject: Eco-audit 1. The eco-audit which has existed in the EU since 29 June 1993 has so far been carried out by about 1960 undertakings. To what extent was Council Regulation (EEC) 1836/93 (1) taken into account in the European Parliament’s new buildings in Brussels (Rue Wiertz) and Strasbourg? 2. What potential water and energy savings were taken into account in the two new buildings, and what technical means were used to achieve them? 3. What potential energy savings did the installation of solar cell units make possible? 4. What waste avoidance strategies has the European Parliament’s administration adopted or im- plemented for Parliament’s buildings? (1) OJ L 168, 10. 7. 1993, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (21 December 1998) As the Honorable Member rightly mentions Council Regulation (EEC) 1836/93 allowing voluntary participation by companies in the industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) entered into force on 13 July 1993 and was applicable from 13 April 1995. Since then 1962 companies in the industrial sectors mentioned in Article 2 (i) of the Regulation have been registered in the scheme. However the building industry is not amongst the sectors for which the scheme is open. The reason for this was the intention to concentrate on the industrial and manufacturing sector in the first instance. On 30 October 1998 the Commission adopted a proposal for the revision of the EMAS regulation (1), in which it is proposed to extend the scope of the scheme to all sectors including the building industry. After the entering into force of the proposed revision it will be possible for building companies together with their building locations to register in the EMAS scheme. As far as the administration of the Parliament buildings are concerned the Commission is not competent. (1) COM(98) 622 final. (1999/C 142/158) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3375/98 by Quinídio Correia (PSE) to the Commission (17 November 1998) Subject: Afforestation and woodland maintenance grants According to information contained in the explanatory statement of the report A4-0346/98 of 30 Septem- ber 1998, the Autonomous Region of Madeira is said to have received the highest afforestation and woodland maintenance grants of all EU countries, amounting to ECU 6000 per hectare per year. 1. Can the Commission confirm the accuracy of these statements, which the report attributes to outside sources in the industry? 2. How many hectares have received grants under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 (1) instituting a Commun- ity aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture, and can the Commission provide a full list of the beneficiaries?