91997E4006

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4006/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Community production of slate and the environment

Can the Commission provide information concerning present levels of EC aid to the production of slate in the Community, in the context of the high environmental costs which the sector has to support and which reduce its competitiveness on the market?

Does the Commission intend to adopt new support measures for Community enterprises in the sector, with a view to absorbing these costs?

Can the Commission provide information on the measures adopted or proposed for adoption for the rehabilitation of slagheaps and the improvement of waste recycling in the context of slate production in the Community?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-4006/97, E-4007/97 and E-4010/97 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998)

In its report to the Council on the implementation of the Council conclusions of 18 November 1993 on the non-energy extractive industry ((SEC(96) 852. )) the Commission established that, as such, Community law only occupies a subsidiary position in the set of problems concerning environmental costs as compared with national or sub-national regulations. Although it does not rule out any regional appeal of that sector and the availability to it of structural funds, the Commission does not have any financial instruments to hand in order to compensate for those costs.

The Commission does not have any means available for directly promoting slate products and feels that this is primarily a job for the trade associations. It would, however, point out that vocational training activities shared with other parts of the building trade, or indeed research, could help to achieve that aim.

The implementation of Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products ((OJ L 40, 11.2.1089. )) in which this area is involved via standardisation activities, is likely to have a favourable effect on the products' image and on the international competitiveness of Community producers. Indeed, after the Standing Committee on Construction had delivered a positive opinion the Commission, on 20 November 1997, adopted a decision (97/808/EEC) on the conformity certification of such products where these were members of the 'flooring' product family ((OJ L 331, 3.12.1997. )).