B3-0314/94

Resolution on exports of pesticides from the European Union to Albania under the PHARE programme

The European Parliament,

A.whereas agricultural pesticides are absorbed by various kinds of plant and vegetable which are consumed by humans and animals,

B.whereas, through absorption in the soil, pesticides can find their way into, and pollute, rivers, lakes and the groundwater and kill fauna and flora,

C.whereas the majority of the Member States of the European Union are in favour of a full and permanent ban on exports of waste from the industrialized OECD countries to third countries,

D.whereas European undertakings are continuing to send to the Republic of Albania, as humanitarian aid, pesticides which are considered toxic waste since their use-by date has passed and many of them have already been banned,

1.Calls on the Commission and all the bodies responsible for the implementation of the PHARE Programme to take immediate action to ensure that toxic pesticides are withdrawn from the market;

2.Calls for an inquiry to be held to shed light on this matter and to establish who is responsible for the destruction of the ecological balance in the region in question;

3.Calls on the Commission to submit a report giving a detailed description of aid - including the amount of aid - so far granted by the Community to Albania under the PHARE Programme, notably in the agricultural field;

4.Calls also on the Commission to submit its plans regarding future aid to Albania;

5.Calls on the Commission to say whether it checked whether the agri-chemical products exported to Albania were needed before they were delivered and whether it intends to help Albania resolve the problem of pesticides by destroying these substances in such a way as not to damage the ecosystems and human health;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States.