WRITTEN QUESTION E-2491/99 by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission. Diversion of watercourses in Europe.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/13 (2000/C 330 E/012) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2491/99 by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Diversion of watercourses in Europe The continent of Europe exhibits visible imbalances between its regions in the matter of fresh water: some regions show a clear excess while others suffer from a manifest shortage. Does the Commission have plans to initiate any form of action, in the framework of interregional cooperation policy, to encourage the diversion of watercourses between hydrographic basins in the different EU Member States? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (2 February 2000) Due to different geography and climate, but also different human impact and different traditions, Member States and their regions show quite a diverse pattern of water-related problems, as well as different approaches towards solving those problems. This is one of the reasons why the Parliament, the Council, Member States as well as non-governmental organisations support the need for a new European water policy. The proposed water framework directive (1) (2), presently at second reading in the Parliament, will expand the scope of water protection to all bodies of water, and promote the sustainable use of water as a resource; provide for achieving good status for all waters within a set deadline, following a combined approach of emission limit values and water quality objectives; ensure all the necessary measures are implemented on the basis of a river basin management; ensure coordination of objectives where regions or Member States share river basins; require water quantity issues to be addressed insofar as they support the quality objective, e. g. by setting the objective of a sustainable balance between abstractions and natural recharge; and increase transparency and involvement of all citizens and parties concerned when river basin management plans are established. The Commission is convinced that water-related problems should be addressed at the source. This is the reason why the proposed water framework directive provides for an obligation for Member States and regions jointly to address their water problems in shared river basins, but not necessarily for a large-scale water transfer between river basins. Committing the Community to encouraging the diversion of water- courses at this stage would not support the principles of sustainable development and of addressing environmental problems at the source, as laid down in the EC Treaty, and taken up as one of the pillars of the proposed water framework directive. Only when the water framework directive is adopted, and comparable objectives are established, will the necessary data be available. The Commission feels supported in this by the first reading opinion of the Parliament of February 1999 (3) on the proposal. However, where specific projects respect the environmental objectives laid down and a consensus between the parties is established, the water framework directive would not in any way prohibit such solutions. At the same time, the Communityís financial instruments such as the structural funds and the Cohesion fund are required to work, simultaneously and in the long-term interest, towards economic growth, social cohesion and the protection of the environment, in other words, sustainable development. The future C 330 E/14 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Community initiative Interreg III foresees amongst the eligible measures actions of cooperation in the field of sustainable water management (floods, droughts) within a spatial planning context. (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998. (2) Common Position adopted by Council on 22. 10. 1999, not yet published in the Official Journal. (3) OJ C 150, 28. 5. 1999. (2000/C 330 E/013) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2503/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission (22 December 1999) Subject: Minimum standards for the protection of laying hens Having regard to Council Directive 1999/74/EC (1) of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens and to Chapter II of this directive which specifies that the Member States must ensure that, from 1 January 2003, all cage systems referred to in that chapter comply with the minimum standards that are laid down, that rearing in the cages referred to in that chapter is prohibited with effect from 1 January 2012 and that, with effect from 1 January 2003, no cages such as referred to in that chapter may be built or brought into service for the first time; having regard also to the possibility of the Union partly financing chicken farms in the applicant countries with a view to accession; will the Commission state whether: ü the above provisions and their strict observance are taken into account in connection with such part- financing? ü it plans to establish in the near future a supervisory body with specific responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the above provisions? (1) OJ L 203, 3. 8. 1999, p. 53. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 February 2000) Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 of 21 June 1999 provides for Community support for pre- accession measures for agriculture and rural development in the applicant countries of central and eastern Europe in the pre-accession period (1). The objectives of the support are to contribute to the implementa- tion of the acquis communautaire concerning the common agricultural policy and related policies and to solve priority and specific problems for the sustainable adaptation of the agricultural sector and rural areas in the applicant countries. Article 2 of the above Regulation provides for investment in agricultural holdings and it is expected that most applicant countries will propose such measures in their plans. According to Article 4 (3) of the same Regulation the applicant countries shall ensure, amongst others, that priority is given to measures improving quality and health standards in compliance with the provisions on the protection of the environment. Commission Regulation (EC) No 2759/1999 of 22 December 1999 laying down rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 on Community support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development in the applicant countries of central and eastern Europe in the pre- accession period (2), states that investment support shall be granted to agricultural holdings which comply with the national minimum standards regarding environment, hygiene and animal welfare at the time when the decision to grant support is taken. In the same article it is also stated that where acquis-related minimum standards regarding the environment, hygiene and animal welfare have been newly introduced at the time the application is received, the decision to grant support will be conditional on the holding meeting these new standards by the end of the realisation of the investment. However, the new investment itself must comply with Community standards, whether or not the holding as a whole complies with these standards