WRITTEN QUESTION E-2308/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Mont Blanc Tunnel.
C 225 E/94 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 How does the Commission plan to address concerns that sea turtles caught in Cuban waters are 4. shared by other countries in the Caribbean, in other words, the killing and export of shells will affect the populations of other countries? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (11 January 2000) The Commission is aware that the government of Cuba has submitted two proposals for the limited resumption of international trade in hawksbill sea turtles for the 11th conference of the CITES parties. Although the Community is not a party to CITES, the Commission nonetheless will make a proposal to the Council for a common position to be taken by the Member States at the conference of the parties as the regulation of trade in wildlife is subject to Community competence under Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1). The Commissionís proposal will be made in relation to the CITES down-listing criteria mentioned by the Honourable Member, which include the impact of the proposal on the conservation of the species in Cuban waters and elsewhere. (1) OJ L 61, 3. 3. 1997. (2000/C 225 E/093) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2308/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Mont Blanc Tunnel In view of the tragedy earlier this year in the Mont Blanc Tunnel, which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people, and the fact that a contributory factor in the accident was the enormous increase over the last few decades in the volume of traffic, has the Commission made clear its willingness to assist France and Italy in providing alternative means of transport, possibly rail, to ease the congestion which, at the same time, would help improve quality of the environment for those people who live directly on the line of the current tunnel route? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (24 January 2000) Increased road traffic is a general phenomenon in Europe, and the situation is even more acute in the alpine region, which is a central, enclosed area. In order to help ease the congestion, the Commission is supporting projects due for completion in 2001 relating to the Lyons-Turin-(Trieste) high-speed/combined transport line, the removal of bottlenecks at Modane station, and the AmbØrieu-Modane-Turin freight line. In addition, the inland transport agreement signed by the Community and the Swiss Confederation in June offers the prospect of developing alternative trans-alpine routes for heavy vehicles. Also, under the fifth research programme the Community will support research and development relating to techniques to reduce the risks and consequences of accidents in tunnels