WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1231/98 by Marie-Paule KESTELIJN- SIERENS to the Commission. Reduction of noise pollution in areas around airports
C 402/98 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 (98/C 402/125) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1230/98 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (ELDR) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Planning of aiports on the basis of noise pollution caused to the surrounding area In its resolution A-0183/97 (1), adopted on 10 June 1997, on the Commission Green Paper on future noise policy, the European Parliament calls on the Commission áto submit a proposal for a directive on obligatory standards and the planning of airports on the basis of a European noise pollution systemí (para. 30). Can the Commission answer the following: 1. Does a uniform method exist for measuring noise pollution around airports? If not, is the Commission in favour of introducing such a method? 2. Does the Commission favour the planning of airports on the basis of a European noise pollution system as a way of clearly mapping the noise pollution of European airports, and as a basis for applying further measures to the airports which cause the greatest level of noise pollution to the surrounding area? (1) OJ C 200, 30. 6. 1997, p. 28. Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1998) 1. In the Community, there is currently no uniform method for the calculation of noise nuisance around airports. In preparing a forthcoming legislative initiative on environmental noise, the Commission, in close cooperation with Member States and specialist organisations, will assess the feasibility of a common noise unit of measurement and methodology. Any future proposal by the Commission would be based on the outcome of this technical assessment. The Commission will similarly consider the issue of drawing up maps of effects of noise nuisance, 2. including noise nuisance caused by aircraft around airports. (98/C 402/126) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1231/98 by Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (ELDR) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Reduction of noise pollution in areas around airports In its resolution A-0183/97 (1), adopted on 10 June 1997, on the Commission Green Paper on future noise policy, the European Parliament calls on the Commission áto lay down and standardize obligatory standards for aviation to limit aircraft noise and noise levels in the areas around airportsí (para. 29). The Commission: 1. What measures or initiatives has it taken since then to follow up this request? 2. Does it consider that European obligatory standards to limit noise pollution are the only way to prevent certain regional airports from having a less strict noise pollution policy in order to strengthen their competitive position against the major airports? (1) OJ C 200, 30. 6. 1997, p. 28