WRITTEN QUESTION No. 368/99 by Antonio TAJANI Protection of the Tuscan archipelago park and the island of Elba
3. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 348/55 Anwer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1999) The Commission continues to follow closely the repressive measures imposed upon the Burmese people by the military regime. The Commission fully supports the continued and consistent application of the Union Common Position with regard to Burma. Recent events in Burma give no reason for any change in the Union position and its measures against Burma are therefore maintained. (1999/C 348/067) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0368/99 by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission (1 March 1999) Subject: Protection of the Tuscan archipelago park and the island of Elba The Tuscan archipelago park and the commune of Marciano have delivered a negative opinion on exploitation of the EURIT-Eurelba mine because of the scenic and natural beauty of the area concerned. Florence district (a State body) has however asked that the mine be exploited for another five years. Does the Commission not think that this initiative, which will cause serious damage to the area, conflicts with European environmental regulations which protect the island of Elba? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1999) It appears, based on the information given by the Honourable Member, that the situation to which he refers is outside the scope of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (1). The request by the Florence district for the prolongation of the exploitation of the already existing mine does not appear to be a project covered by the Directive. In contrast, Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2) could be concerned in so far as the situation described can be considered covered by the provision set out in Article 6, paragraph 2, which states ‘Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid, in the special areas of conservation, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of this Directive’. This provision of Directive 92/43/EEC is currently applicable to special protection areas (SPA) identified under Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (3). The area mentioned by the Honourable Member is not an SPA under Directive 79/409/EEC. However it is mentioned as an important bird area (IBA) in the list of the important bird areas in Europe compiled by the International council for bird preservation. In principle, it should have been classified as an SPA under Directive 79/409/EEC. In the light of the above, a letter requesting information has been sent to the Italian authorities. The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to ensure the observance of Community law. (1) OJ L 175, 5. 7. 1985. (2) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (3) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979