Piracy caused by illegal dumping of waste in Somali waters

1.2.2011

Question for written answer E-001073/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Struan Stevenson (ECR)

Although the illegal activity by Somali pirates has been heavily publicised in the international media, much less is known about the exact cause of the recent increase in piracy around the Horn of Africa. There has been widespread but unsubstantiated speculation that many former Somali fishermen have been forced to involve themselves in piracy because their former livelihood has been ruined by the illegal dumping of waste in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. In 2004, the United Nations Environment Programme reported that many toxic waste containers had been washed up on the coast of the Puntland region in north-eastern Somalia, and various observers claim that European companies continue systematically to dump both toxic and e-waste in these waters.

Whilst the EU’s ‘Atlanta’ anti-piracy mission and its support for UN Security Council Resolution 1851 (2008) are laudable, illegal piracy will be eradicated or lessened only if the perpetrators have other legal and sustainable means of securing the necessities of life.

1. In the light of the speculation, does the Commission have any credible evidence to substantiate the claims that EU companies are participating in the illegal dumping of waste in the region?

2. Is the Commission taking any steps to monitor the situation and prevent EU companies breaking international treaties, such as the Basel Convention, by dumping toxic waste in Somali waters?

OJ C 286 E, 30/09/2011