Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-000765/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE)
Following the Commission’s opinion C(2024)299 of 23 January 2024 and challenges brought by the City of Świnoujście and Polish and German civic movements, the Polish Directorate-General for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) confirmed the environmental decision for the Świnoujście container terminal, albeit with some changes to the environmental requirements.
The permit acknowledges the significant impact on Natura 2000 site PLH320019 Wolin i Uznam, but does not identify any substantial effects on maritime Natura 2000 sites PLH990002 and PLB990003. A key criticism therefore remains unresolved: the environmental impact assessment (EIA) dealt only with the effects of the terminal’s construction on land, but did not assess the cumulative effects of building channels or increased shipping traffic. A separate environmental impact assessment should be carried out to cover those aspects. In accordance with Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive and the EIA Directive (2011/92/EU), all cumulative, direct, indirect and long-term effects of a project must be taken into account.
- 1.What does the Commission make of the amended environmental requirements?
- 2.Would the environmental impact assessment not have to cover the entire project?
- 3.How does the Commission ensure that the protection status of Natura 2000 sites is not undermined by split or incomplete EIAs?
Submitted: 19.2.2025