91999E0121

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0121/99

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(2 February 1999)

Subject: Combating the problem

Is the Commission not aware of the urgent need in the European Union for measures to be taken to combat the ever increasing problem of waste disposal?

Why has the Commission not yet come forward with a proposal for a directive on this subject, especially in regard to composting, biomethanization, electrical and electronic waste, and PVC?

Should not the "precautionary principle" and the ideas of "polluter pays" and "preventive action", as enshrined in Article 130r of the European Community Treaty, also be used to the fullest possible extent?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 1999)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that waste prevention is of paramount importance in any waste management system as well as for waste legislation. The Commission tries to promote the principle of producer responsibility for waste management issues, which can be considered as a concrete way of supporting the polluter-pays principle.

The Commission is considering an initiative on composting as a logical follow-up to the Community discussion on landfills, where the proposed directive(1) seeks to reduce significantly the landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste in the years to come. Such waste could very usefully go to composting or to biomethanisation.

The Commission announced in its proposal on end-of-life vehicles(2) that it would look into the issue of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in general and an examination is at present under way.

The Commission programme for 1998 announced a proposal for a directive on electrical and electronic waste. Work on this subject has been slightly delayed.

(1) COM(98) 189 final.

(2) OJ C 337, 7.1.1997.