WRITTEN QUESTION No. 679/99 by Richard CORBETT Evaluation of the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment
21. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 370/83 It is difficult at present to assess the impact on climate protection of any trend away from nuclear generated electricity in Germany since the information on how an eventual shift away from nuclear might take place is not yet established. (1999/C 370/113) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0649/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (16 March 1999) Subject: Uncontrolled increase in EU immigration The EU is currently bearing the brunt of a huge wave of immigration; some countries, however, because of their geographical position, are less able than others to control the flow of immigrants. Since several countries, such as Italy, have immigration laws that are incapable of even partially responding to the real needs of both EU and non-EU citizens, and until such time as political union can be achieved, could the Council not lay down rules to ensure that migratory flows are subject to the same controls in all Member States? Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (7 May 1999) The Commission agrees with the assessment that the control of migratory flows at Union level will be one of the main objectives to be met in connection with the implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty. Specifically, under Article 62(1) and (2) of the EC Treaty (ex Article 73j), the Council is to adopt measures on the crossing of the Member States’ external borders, including in particular standards and procedures to be followed by Member States when carrying out checks at external borders and rules on short-term visas. Likewise, under Article 63(3)(a) and (b) of the EC Treaty (ex Article 73k), the Council is to adopt measures on immigration policy in the areas of conditions of entry and residence, illegal immigration and illegal residence. Moreover, the implementation of the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union will provide the Union with a series of instruments developed previously in the context of intergovernmental cooperation. Accordingly, it would seem that the legal framework which exists following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty will effectively allow legally binding standards for immigration and border controls to be adopted at Union level. (1999/C 370/114) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0679/99 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1999) Subject: Evaluation of the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment Where the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (1) requires an Environmental Impact Assessment wherever there is a ‘likelihood’ that a development might damage a protected area, it is necessary for an initial assessment to be made as to whether there is any such likelihood. In these circumstances, what is the Commission’s view of the situation arising when a development takes place without even such an initial assessment having been carried out or where it is carried out only after the development in question? Is the Commission aware of the case of the upgrading of the bridges on the Southport Coastal Road which developed the capacity of the road to take traffic through a protected area? Is the Commission aware that the assessment carried out by the responsible agency, English Nature, that this development would have no negative impact on the protected areas, was not given until several months after the event, and even then,