WRITTEN QUESTION E-3586/01

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Dioxin problems in Györ (Hungary)

In the Hungarian city of Györ a hazardous waste incinerator has been operating since 1992. Heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, chrome, copper and lead have been detected outside this incinerator. Furthermore it is very worrying that reports show that the extremely dangerous toxic substance dioxin has been detected at levels 13 to even 55 times as high as the permissible Hungarian levels. A residential area is situated only 500 metres away.

The negotiations between the EU and Hungary about the environmental acquis communautaire have been successfully concluded. The Hungarian Government has promised to fulfil the EU emission standards for hazardous waste incinerators.

Will the European Commission ask the Hungarian authorities whether this incinerator in Györ fulfils the EU environmental standards?

And will the European Commission make sure, if this is not the case, that at the latest by the time that Hungary enters the European Union this incinerator will comply with EU standards?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 2002)

It is assumed that reference is made to the hazardous liquid waste incinerator operated by Köszol Ltd. in Györ (Hungary).

This incinerator has been notified by Hungary in the accession negotiations as not satisfying the requirements of Council Directives 94/67/E of 16 December 1994 on the incineration of hazardous waste(1) and 2000/76/E of the Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2000 on the incineration of waste(2) as regards the emission limit values for particulate matter and as regards emission monitoring requirements.

In the context of the provisional closure of the accession negotiations on the environment chapter, a transitional period has been granted to Hungary until 30 June 2005 for bringing this incinerator into compliance as regards these two particular aspects. The incinerator will therefore comply with the strict requirements of Directive 2000/76/EC six months earlier than stipulated in the Directive, because existing incinerators have to comply with the requirements of this Directive as from 28 December 2005. Already by the time of accession, the incinerator has to comply with all other requirements of Directive 94/67/EC.

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(2) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000.