The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Rule 120 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. having regard to efforts to combat trafficking in damaging and polluting materials;

B.  whereas tonnes of worn tyres are taken to Italy and deposited in unofficial dumps, mostly in the south of the country, thus feeding the already flourishing illegal export trade with countries in Asia and Africa, and whereas the same problem also exists in many EU Member States;

C. whereas the toxic substances in these dumps may endanger health and whereas this situation favours a proliferation of criminal activity;

D. whereas in September a consortium was established in Italy by some well-known tyre manufacturers which within a few months had already recovered and processed as much as 190 000 tonnes of tyre rubber, transforming it into material for use in construction, street furniture and sports fields;

E.  whereas this consortium has signed an agreement with the Customs Agency to combat illegal trading in tyre pieces;

1.  Calls on the Commission to ask the Member States to arrange for cooperation between local customs services and consortia or entities which manage the disposal and recycling of waste to monitor illegal trading in worn tyres.