Brussels, 12/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - During a television programme on the state-owned channel France 2, Commissioner Loyola de Palacio called for the lesson to be learnt at last from the many accidents that have taken place in recent years, causing serious pollution to the sea and coastlines. Recalling that the United States has already banned single-hull vessels from its ports, she stated that it is urgent for the European Union to take action if it does not want to become the priority destination of all vessels ready for the scrap heap. The Commissioner voiced the hope that, further to the communication the Commission is due to adopt in the coming months, work for the adoption of drastic measures, including the prohibition of single-hull vessels, would advance rapidly under the French Presidency. Mrs de Palacio also asserted that Total could not have been unaware of the real state of the vessel "Erika" (an assertion Total denies, Ed.).