(2004/C 84 E/0194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0070/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject:   Chrome-plating factory in Tabaçò, Arcos de Valdevez

Following my Question E-2437/03 (1) of 11 July 2003 and the reply of 23 September 2003, concerning the possible building of a polluting factory in Tabaçò, Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal, a statement by the Association for the defence of the Valdevez Natural Environment says that there is a risk of the Serraliber chrome-plating factory briefly starting chrome-plating operations in January 2004.

There is a revocation case before the courts (No C/000830/03) for failure to comply with the provisions of Decree Law No No 69/2000 of 3 May since the factory was built before the environmental impact assessment had been concluded.

What action has been taken since the Commission replied to me in September 2003?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Following its answer of 23 September 2003 to question E-2437/03 (1) by the Honourable Member on the same subject, the Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the Portuguese authorities have since replied to the letter it sent requesting further information on the construction of the proposed factory.

The Commission is currently examining the Portuguese authorities' reply. The situation will then be examined at a meeting between the Portuguese authorities and the Commission with a view to adopting a position on the complaints in question.

At that meeting, the Commission will not fail to question the Portuguese authorities regarding the impact assessment carried out on the project, and in particular the situation reported by the Honourable Member in her question.

(1)  OJ C 65 E, 13.3.2004.