13.3.2004   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 65/210

1.

Is the Commission aware that, in the recent past, the Netherlands was leading the way with regard to the separation and recycling of industrial waste, thanks to purpose-built installations?

2.

Is the Commission aware that increasing quantities of unsorted industrial waste are being sent by road from the Netherlands to the neighbouring state of North Rhine-Westphalia, that the quantity concerned is likely to be 3,8 million tons in 2003 and that these consignments are causing a good deal of noise and odour nuisance in Germany?

3.

Can the Commission confirm the reports on the current affairs TV programme Nova (shown on Nederland 3 on 14 August and 3 September 2003) to the effect that this approach has been adopted because dumping the waste in Germany is far cheaper than processing it in the Netherlands, the difference in cost ranging from EUR 1 400 to 3 200 per consignment?

4.

Can the Commission also confirm that in half of all cases the actual composition of the waste differs from that stated in documents, both because consignments are swapped and because, for example, wood shavings and plastic or building waste and textiles are unnecessarily delivered to the dump mixed together, rendering it virtually impossible to recycle them properly?

5.

Is the Commission aware that, as a result of this state of affairs, the modern and environmentally friendly processing of industrial waste in the Netherlands is liable to come to an end because the installations built for the purpose are being put to less and less use and are losing EUR 300 million per annum in turnover?

6.

What can the Commission do to discourage the current abuse of the opportunities created by the EU for free trade and tax-free cross-border transport within the EU in order to undermine Member States' environmental policies and unnecessarily saddle future generations in a neighbouring country with a legacy of unprocessable waste?

1.

The Commission is aware of the Netherlands' policy in the field of separation and recycling of industrial waste.

2.

The Commission is also aware that shipments of waste from the Netherlands to Germany take place. However, the Commission is not aware of the details of these shipments, e.g. the exact quantities, noise and odour nuisance.

3.

The Commission is not in a position to confirm or deny that dumping of waste in Germany is taking place nor that it happens because of existing cost differences. If the waste is destined for disposal operations and properly notified as required under the Waste Shipment Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 (1) the competent authorities have the power to object to the shipment as provided for by Article 4(3) of the Regulation.

4.

The Commission is not aware of the details of the shipments, and is therefore not in a position either to confirm or deny the information and allegations presented regarding the actual composition of the waste, swapped notifications and mixing of waste during transport.

Enforcement of and inspection of compliance with Community legislation, including waste legislation is the responsibility of the Member States. The Commission encourages co-operation between Member States to ensure proper implementation of the Regulation.

5.

The Commission does not possess information concerning the closure of treatment facilities in the Netherlands as a result of these shipments.

6.

As regards waste destined for recovery operations, the Commission recognises that the absence of mandatory waste treatment standards at Union level could undermine the creation of a high level of protection across the Community. This has also raised concerns about eco-dumping of waste within the Community. In the Communication ‘Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste (2)’, which is subject to consultation until the end of November 2003, the Commission presents potential options aiming at progressively establishing a common playing field for the recycling of waste. These include the extension of the IPPC Directive (3) to the whole waste sector and the determination of quality standards for recycling in Annex IIA of Directive 75/442/EC (4). Additionally, a limited number of processes could require the setting in legislation of Union-wide emission limit values.

Furthermore, in the context of the revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation (EEC) No 259/93, the Commission is addressing the issues of standard-dumping by proposing that objections can be raised to shipments destined for treatment in facilities covered by the IPPC Directive but which do not apply Best Available Techniques as defined in Article 9(4) of that Directive (5).