92002E0508

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0508/02

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 February 2002)

Subject: Waste disposal site in Trani

According to reports in the local and national press and the views expressed by a very large number of local inhabitants, who are extremely alarmed about the situation, the new waste disposal site in Trani presents a real threat to the environment.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

Can it say whether all the relevant permits were granted in accordance with all the environmental protection directives adopted by the European Union?

Can it say whether the operation of this waste disposal site could in future give rise to the risk of fires, contamination of the groundwater table and the formation of biogases, thus endangering the health of local inhabitants?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2002)

The treatment of waste is regulated at Community level by Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975(1) as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 on waste(2), in particular its Article 4, which states that waste must be disposed of or recovered without endangering human health or the environment.

Since 16 July 2001 new landfills have to fulfil the requirements of Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste(3).

In addition, for landfills receiving more than 10 tonnes per day or with a total capacity exceeding 25 000 tonnes, excluding landfills for inert waste, the provisions of Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC)(4) must be applied.

Depending on the type of the landfill and the possible effects on the environment an impact assessment according to Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997(5) amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985(6) on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment could be required.

The Commission has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law, in the light of the powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty. As the guardian of the Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all necessary measures, including infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to ensure the observance of Community law.

However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, due to a lack of grounds of complaint on the application of EC law, no breach of it can be identified at present. Should the Honourable Member provide detailed information enabling the Commission to assess the issues in relation to the above mentioned directive, the Commission would also be able to investigate this matter.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.

(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(3) OJ L 282, 16.7.1999.

(4) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(5) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(6) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.