WRITTEN QUESTION E-1043/99

by Ilona Graenitz (PSE) to the Commission

(20 April 1999)

Subject: Screening the candidate countries' environmental legislation

What date has been taken as the basis in the screening of the candidate countries' environmental legislation?

Will this date be adjusted to allow for the length of the negotiations?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1999)

The screening of the environmental acquis takes into account all Community measures adopted by 1 January 1999. Measures adopted by the Community after this date are also to be screened in order to evaluate their transposition and implementation in the candidate countries. The Commission will therefore discuss the newly adopted measures with the candidate countries at an appropriate moment in the negotiation process.