(2004/C 78 E/0913)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3821/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject:   Environmental impact of the extension of the Eivissa Airport

My question E-0209/03 (1) of 3 February 2003 addressed the environmental impact which would be caused by the scheme to enlarge Eivissa Airport.

In its reply of 14 March 2003, the Commission stated that it was processing a complaint lodged in this connection. On 11 September 2003, in Question E-2745/03 (2) I asked whether the Commission had reached any specific conclusions as a result of the complaint lodged.

Mrs Wallström's latest reply, of 16 October 2003, stated that the Commission had approached the Spanish authorities to request full details of the scheme in question, a copy of the impact statement and of the measures adopted to respect the obligations deriving from Article 6 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and woodland fauna and flora (3).

Furthermore, the Commission said that it intended that this case should form part of an exchange with the Spanish authorities within the framework of the bilateral meeting to be held on October 2003, which would consider the whole picture of complaints and infringements in the environmental sphere involving Spain.

Has the Commission now received the information requested from the Spanish authorities? Has the planned bilateral meeting been held? If so, what conclusions were reached with regard to resolving the problem of the infringement of various EU environmental directives in connection with the enlargement of Eivissa Airport?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2004)

As was announced in the reply to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-2745/03, the Commission has discussed with the Spanish authorities the application of Community Environmental Law to the project of the enlargement of Ibiza airport, during the bilateral meeting held in Madrid in October 2003. Subsequently the Spanish authorities have sent a report containing their comments on the facts raised.

This report indicates that the Enlargement Project of Ibiza Airport is currently undergoing an impact assessment procedure according to the provisions of Community Law.

The Spanish authorities claim that they have taken into account the allegations made by different organizations and institutions in the course of this procedure. They have consequently modified the project so as to restrict the foreseen works to the area situated beyond the limits of the Natura 2000 site ES0000084 (Ses Salines d'Eivissa i Formentera). As a matter of fact, the only interventions included currently in the project are a new runway for emergency landings and a new platform for fire-fighting drills.

The Commission is currently assessing the information provided by the Spanish authorities. As soon as this assessment is complete, the Commission will be able to draw its conclusions on this case.

(1)  OJ C 222 E, 18.9.2003, p. 163.

(2)  See page 161.

(3)  OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.