WRITTEN QUESTION E-0068/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Construction of the Itoiz dam.
C 330 E/74 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (6 March 2000) The Community has no direct competence as regards the adoption of measures to remedy a loss of efficiency and competitiveness in an airport system. This question, the purpose of which amounts to laying down rules for the distribution of traffic between the airports within an airport system, falls within the authority of the Member States under their national transport policies, as expressly provided under Article 8(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 (1). The Commissionís role is confined to verifying whether such rules are consistent with Community law, in particular with the principles of non-discrimination and propor- tionality. The Italian authorities decided to suspend the transfers of flights from Linate to Malpensa airport which were originally planned for 15 December 1999 and 15 January 2000 respectively. This decision was taken because of the uncertainty caused by measures introduced at Malpensa airport to reduce its environmental impact. Accordingly it now falls to the Italian authorities to lay down new rules for the distribution of traffic in the Milan airport system (Malpensa, Linate and Orio al Serio) in compliance with Community law. (1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, OJ L 240, 24. 8. 1992. (2000/C 330 E/081) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0068/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (24 January 2000) Subject: Construction of the Itoiz dam Construction of a new dam ü the Itoiz dam ü to create a reservoir on the rivers Irai and Urrobi in Navarre (Basque country) has been under way since 1993. The total cost of the project is in the order of EUR 1,78 billion. According to the promoters, the reservoir will be used to irrigate 57 000 ha of farmland in the south of Navarre, to supply water to Irunea and to generate electricity. The local population and environmental groups are wary of the construction of the dam because fifteen villages will disappear, either wholly or partially, together with three designated nature conservation areas (Txintxurrenea, Gaztelu and Inarbe). Two areas under threat enjoy special European protection status. On 29 September 1995 the technical project for a reservoir on the rivers Irai and Urrobia was annulled by the national court of justice. The supreme court later upheld this ruling. Nevertheless, construction of the dam went ahead unimpeded. In late 1998 it was announced that the Commission had wrongly dismissed a complaint against the start-up of the project. 1. (a) Which EU institutions have been and/or are involved in the construction of the Itoiz dam? (b) Why were/are these EU institutions involved? (c) To what extent is the EU financing the Itoiz dam? In view of the fact that fifteen villages will disappear, either partially or wholly, along with three is EU 2. designated nature conservation areas, two of which enjoy special European protection status, financing subject to any environmental and/or other conditions? (a) If not, why not? (b) If so, does the Commission believe that the conditions are satisfied by the construction firm? 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/75 Is the construction of the Itoiz dam in line with Community legislation on environmental protection 3. and nature conservation and agriculture, given that fifteen villages will disappear, either partially or wholly, along with three designated nature conservation areas, two of which enjoy special European protection status? (a) (b) If not, why not, and what action has the Commission taken to ensure that Community legislation is complied with in full? If so, does the Commission believe that Community legislation is fully complied with in the case of the Itoiz dam, despite the disappearance of fifteen villages, either partially or wholly, along with three designated nature conservation areas, two of which enjoy special European protection status? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (9 March 2000) It must be noted that the Community has not granted any Community financing for the construction of the Itoiz dam in the Navarre region of Spain. The Commission received a complaint concerning the construction of the Itoiz dam and conducted an investigation on this issue. On 30 November 1994, the Commission decided not to open infringement proceedings in respect of this matter. A press release to this effect was issued on 9 December 1994 (1), including the necessary elements to explain why the file was closed. Given the fact that the Itoiz dam project has now been constructed the Commission does not see any purpose in prolonging commentary on a Commission decision dating from 1994. (1) IP/94/1175. (2000/C 330 E/082) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0071/00 by Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Delays in the payment of EU aid to olive growers in Andalusia Thousands of olive growers in Andalusia have still not received the aid which the European Union allocates each year to the olive sector and which in many cases accounts for 40 % of those producersí income. Representatives of the sector report that the delay in payment is causing them serious hardship since they were relying on the aid as a means of offsetting the costs they incur during the marketing year. They also maintain that the situation is attributable to the shortcomings of the Andalusia Regional Government, which is responsible for administering the aid. Thousands of producers are still waiting for their money, both for the most recent financial year and for previous years. Is the Commission aware of this serious problem affecting olive growers in Andalusia? What is the reason for the delays in the payment of the aid? In addition to the delays relating to the 1998-1999 financial year, are there any payments outstanding from previous years? If so, what are the amounts involved? Does the Commission intend to take any action to solve this serious problem, which is jeopardising the financial well-being of thousands of olive growers in Andalusia?