WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1995/98 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. The Terminator Gene
C 354/128 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 (98/C 354/207) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1942/98 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission (11 June 1998) Subject: Infringement of Community regulations on environmental protection when creating a wind farm in Alto Sannio A wind farm comprising some 600 turbines is being created in the area of Alto Sannio (province of Benevento, Italy). Although the area is scheduled for reforestation and the European Community has already allocated funds for the conservation of the countryside and nature and the creation of a mountain tourist area, the Campania region has taken advantage of other Community contributions to construct some power lines, some underground and some above ground, to supply electricity to the ENEL network. There is reason to believe that the wind farm has been planned in direct defiance of European directives on the protection, regeneration and exploitation of the region from the point of view of the countryside, environment, history and archaeology. The dangerous consequences of the undertaking are visible: rocks uprooted, springs destroyed, millions of cubic metres of rubble scattered on mountain tops, excavation work in areas that are naturally prone to subsidence. Moreover, no arrangements were made to consult the public as expressly provided for in Council Directive No 85/337 (1) of 27 June 1985. Is the granting of Community funds for incompatible projects in the same area not an enormous waste of 1. resources? 2. Is the creation of this farm, albeit with the laudable intention of creating a source of alternative and renewable energy, not the result of a thoughtless regional policy that could cause irreversible ecological damage with all sorts of serious consequences for woodlands, fauna and forests? Are there not grounds for initiating infringement proceedings against Italy for failure to implement and 3. comply with Community directives on environmental and regional protection? (1) OJ L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40. Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1998) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (98/C 354/208) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1995/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (30 June 1998) Subject: The Terminator Gene What is the Commissionís estimate of the impact of Monsantoís Terminator Gene over the next few years on the livelihoods of farmers in developing countries? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 July 1998) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible