WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1611/98 by Susan WADDINGTON to the Commission. Use of the pesticide 'Lindane'
C 50/56 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 2. 1999 (1999/C 50/078) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1611/98 by Susan Waddington (PSE) to the Commission (25 May 1998) Subject: Use of the pesticide Lindaneí Further to my Written Question P-0860/95 (1) and E-2008/95 (2), will the Commission outline the present situation regarding the negotiation of the UN/ECE POPs Protocol, in particular concerning the future control of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) from which the pesticide Lindaneí is derived, and will the use of HCH be completely banned? (1) OJ C 179, 13. 7. 1995, p. 57. (2) OJ C 9, 15. 1. 1996, p. 12. Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (6 July 1998) The working group on strategies established under the United Nations Economic commission for Europe (ECE) Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (CLRTAP) finalised the protocol on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in February 1998. The protocol was opened for signature on the occasion of the ministerial conference Environment for Europeí in Aarhus (Denmark), 23-25 June 1998. The Community signed the protocol on that occasion. Hexachloro-cyclohezane (HCH) is subject to use restrictions under the protocol, not to a total ban. Annex II to the protocol provides that technical HCH (i. e. HCH mixed isomers) is restricted to use as an intermediate in chemical manufacturing, while products in which at least 99 % of the HCH isomer is in the gamma form (i. e. lindane) are restricted to uses in seed treatment; soil applications directly followed by incorporation into the topsoil surface layer; professional remedial and industrial treatment of lumber, timber and logs; public health and veterinary topical insecticide; non-aerial application to tree seedlings; small-scale lawn use, and indoor and outdoor use for nursery stock and ornamentals; and indoor industrial and residential applications. These authorised uses were included in the protocol at the request of several third country parties to the convention. All restricted uses of lindane will however be reassessed under the protocol no later than two years after the date of its entry into force. Lindane is also re-evaluated within the framework of Commission Regulation (EEC) 3600/92 of 11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8 (2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (1). Any restrictions ratified by the Community in international conventions like the POPs protocol of CLRTAP will be taken into account in this process. (1) OJ L 366, 15. 12. 1992. (1999/C 50/079) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1613/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (25 May 1998) Subject: Alpha Space Station Can the Commission give details of the European Union involvement in the International Space Station Project named Space Station Alpha?