91997E2511

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2511/97 by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission (22 July 1997)

Subject: The 'Rio Torto' waste dump (Pisa, Italy)

There are plans to set up an enormous waste dump, to be used among other things for the disposal of special waste from the tanning industry, in the village of Rio Torto, near the city of Volterra (PI), a tourist destination of great cultural and environmental importance. The proposed site of the dump is protected by law because a stream runs through it which, via the river Era, flows into the Arno. The subsoil is also rich in sulphurous spa water.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure compliance with the law and prevent the creation of a mega-dump in an area of particular interest as far as tourism and the environment are concerned?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

The Commission is aware of a project to create a landfill site for special waste from the leather industry near Rio Torto.

Depending on the nature of the waste in question, the project should come under Annex I or Annex II to Directive 85/337/EEC ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )) concerning the application of environmental impact assessment to certain public and private projects.

The Commission will therefore approach the Italian authorities for their comments regarding this case, in order to ensure that Community law, and in particular the abovementioned Directive, is being observed.