WRITTEN QUESTION E-2543/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 July 1997)

Subject: Pollution of Lake Koroneia

Lake Koroneia is one of the Greek wetland biotopes protected by Directive 92/43/EEC ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. )). Despite the fact that it is a protected site, the Lake is subjected to permanent pollution, since industrial waste from the entire Langadha region is being illegally discharged into the Lake; ecological disaster is imminent and the relevant Greek authorities are indifferent to the situation.

In its answer of 22.11.1996 to my Question No E-2677/96 ((OJ C 72, 7.3.1997, p. 72. )) on the problem of pollution facing Lake Koroneia, it stated that '(it) has been informed of the environmental problems affecting Lake Koroneia ... (and) has approached the Greek authorities and requested all the relevant information'. It goes on to say 'if the Commission finds that the Community rules in this area have been infringed it will, if necessary, institute infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty'.

Will the Commission say, following the recent findings that suggest that pollution in Lake Koroneia has become even more serious, what information has been supplied to it by the Greek authorities, precisely which measures it intends to take to implement Community environmental law properly in this specific case and whether it intends to institute infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty?

Answer given by Ms Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (16 October 1997)

Having previously sent letters to a number of environmental associations, the Commission has written several times to the Greek authorities, asking them precisely what measures they intend to take to stop industries in the Drymos area discharging dangerous liquids into Lake Koroneia and what schemes they intend to introduce to prevent further pollution of this lake, particularly in relation to the pollution reduction programme provided for in Article 7 of Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community ((OJ L 129, 18.5.1976. )).

Replying to these letters, the Greek authorities have admitted that pollution of the lake has reached a critical level. They have, moreover, sent the Commission precise information on industrial operating conditions in the area (letters dated 21 February 1997 and 12 August 1997). This correspondence shows that most of these firms are still discharging effluent into Lake Koroneia and are not complying with the environmental rules laid down in Community legislation, in particular Directive 76/464/EEC.

Furthermore, the Minister for the Environment is drafting a ministerial Decision which includes a series of measures to protect Lake Koroneia. To enable the necessary measures to be introduced swiftly, Community financial assistance (from the Structural Funds) has been requested.

It is the Commission's view that, in spite of the Greek government's efforts, the measures which have been notified are still inadequate. Further action needs to be taken, as swiftly as possible, to stop the pollution of Lake Koroneia.