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Parliamentary question - E-016077/2015Parliamentary question
E-016077/2015

Extension of concessions for quarry lots for the extraction of porphyry

Question for written answer E-016077-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
David Borrelli (EFDD)

Infringement proceedings No 2006/4251 were shelved because the Commission considered that Article 33 of Law 7/2006 of the Autonomous Province of Trento would put an end to the system of extending quarrying concessions in the porphyry and Trentino stone area without holding a tender procedure, in breach of the provisions of Article 43 of the EC Treaty.

To date, Law 7/2006 has allowed the municipalities involved, in 2010 and in 2011, to extend concessions for over 18 years, and in some cases for over 40 years, thereby circumventing the commitments made in the course of the infringement proceedings 2006/4251. The renewal of concessions was made on the basis of employment commitments that have subsequently not been respected.

The Court of Justice has repeatedly stated that the extension of a concession is equivalent to a new concession and the extension of the term of the contract without a call for tenders is incompatible with the fundamental principles of the protection of competition in awarding public contracts.

In light of the above, can the Commission outline the initiatives it has taken to streamline mining operations and bring the rules of the Autonomous Province of Trento into line with European directives?