Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-06-18-Speech-3-158"
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"en.20030618.11.3-158"2
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"Mr President, we are on the verge of deciding on the revision of the so-called Seveso Directive. Nearly a year ago, I remarked in this House that we are locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. This was an appeal to the Council to ensure that we use the revision of the directive as an opportunity to plug existing holes, so that accidents of the kind that took place in Baia Mare, Toulouse and Enschede can be prevented in future.
In Enschede, it transpired that current Seveso legislation is insufficient. A fireworks factory which did not fall within the scope of the directive destroyed an entire housing estate. Human suffering was huge, and the grieving for the victims continues. Residents of this housing estate were not aware of the presence of the fireworks factory. Authorities were only aware up to a point. It is therefore logical to tighten up the rules.
Of particular importance, in my view, is the drafting of a method for establishing minimum distances. The European Commission should set up guidelines for this purpose, because it is about time we knew exactly what a safe distance is. A safe distance in the Netherlands is considered 25 metres, in France 500 metres and in Germany as many as 1 000 metres. An objective method for establishing the safe distance is important for those living nearby but, above all, also for the local politicians. Hazardous factories do not belong in housing estates. An active policy should be adopted in order to remove them from those estates, if possible with the help of European funding. In addition, it is important for maps to be drawn up which indicate the areas in the vicinity of an establishment that could be affected after a major accident. Every citizen is entitled to this information.
Tightening up the rules is one thing, observing them and being accountable is another. We can lay down rules
but if they are not implemented in municipal practice, they will have little effect in the end. If nobody feels responsible, if organisations each work in a vacuum, legislation remains a paper exercise.
Safety is not only a matter of rules, but also of culture. It is a public task to actively promote this culture. Where safety is concerned, we should not cut any corners."@en1
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