WRITTEN QUESTION E-1014/00 by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Limestone quarrying, concrete, cement and asphalt plant in the Tavira region of the Algarve.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/103 is subject to regulation, whereas the keeping of such animals by private individuals may be governed only by simple safety standards with the animals often kept under intolerable health and hygiene conditions. In Italy such animals must be registered, in accordance with the 1975 Washington Convention, but the official figures would suggest that many animals are imported and kept illegally. 1. 2. Are there any common rules in the EU governing the importing and keeping of animals of this type? If not, do all the Member States comply with the provisions of the Washington Convention? 3. What public safety guarantees are there when such animals are kept by private individuals? 4. What criteria and parameters are used to determine the health and hygiene conditions applying both to these animals and to human beings? Are there any special reasons, apart from scientific research and entertainment purposes, that would 5. warrant private individuals being allowed to import and keep wild animals? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (25 May 2000) Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (1) contains provisions for transport, keeping and housing of specimens of wild fauna included in the annexes of the Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). In relation to animal health conditions, import rules have been laid down by Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992 laying down animal health requirements governing trade in and import into the Community of animals, semen, ova and embryos not subject to animal health requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (1) to Directive 90/425/EEC (2). Special conditions are foreseen for movement of animals between zoos. Any other measures concerning import or possession restrictions of non-domestic animals, or matters dealing with problems resulting from keeping of exotic animals in places other than zoos, do not fall within Community competence. (1) OJ L 61, 3. 3. 1997. (2) OJ L 268, 14. 9. 1992. (2001/C 46 E/108) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1014/00 by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 April 2000) Subject: Limestone quarrying, concrete, cement and asphalt plant in the Tavira region of the Algarve There are plans for a limestone quarry in a nature and water conservation area in the Tavira region of the Algarve and also for a concrete, cement and asphalt plant. Allegedly the mayor of Tavira has already had test drillings carried out, circumventing the local authorities. Funding from the EU may play a role in this project. Does the proposed project fall within the law in terms of the nature and water conservation aspects? Was application made for EU funds for this project and were they granted? If so, what type of funds and what was the amount involved? C 46 E/104 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (24 May 2000) Under Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment (1), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2), quarries must be made subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with Articles 5 to 10 of the Directive in cases where the surface of the site exceeds 25 hectares. Other quarries must be made subject to an impact assessment in accordance with Articles 5 to 10 where Member States consider that their characteristics so require. Under Article 6 (3) of Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (3), any project not necessary to the management of a site but likely to have a significant effect thereon must be appropriately assessed in view of the siteís conservation objectives. In order to form an estimate of the situation, the Commission has asked the Portuguese authorities to provide information on the project in question. The Commission will also draw their attention to the obligations deriving from the abovementioned provisions of Community law. The project is not being cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund. (1) OJ L 175, 5. 7. 1985. (2) OJ L 73, 14. 3. 1997. (3) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2001/C 46 E/109) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1017/00 by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 April 2000) Subject: Transfer of surplus EU fishing vessels to third world countries How does the Commission view the current practice of transferring surplus fishing vessels from EU Member States to Third World countries, given that this seriously endangers current fish stocks as well as existing small-scale fisheries ventures in those countries? To date, the Commission has spent € 30 million on redeploying surplus fishing vessels. Since EU fish stocks are seriously over exploited because of the over-efficiency of the EU fleet, it surely cannot be sensible policy to impose the same threat on countries that depend to an even greater extent on the sustainability of their fish stocks? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 May 2000) The Commission recognises that the transfer of fishing capacity from Member States to third world countries should be mutually beneficial and should not endanger the fish stocks or the existing small scale fisheries in those countries. For this reason, financial aid for the transfer of capacity to third countries can be granted only under the conditions specified in Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC)No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1). Financial aid can be granted only with the agreement of the competent authorities of the third country concerned and if there exist appropriate guarantees that international law is not likely to be infringed, in particular with respect to the conservation and management of marine resources and with respect to working conditions of fishermen. The Commission considers that, provided these conditions are met, the transfer of fishing vessels and the creation of joint enterprises can be beneficial for the development of the fishing industry in third world countries. (1) OJ L 337, 30. 12. 1999