| Author (Person) | Smith, Emily |
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| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.12, No.24, 22.6.06 |
| Publication Date | 22/06/2006 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Emily Smith Date: 22/06/06 Legislation to improve the quality of European drinking water will be the latest environmental proposal to reach a last-chance conciliation session aimed at striking a deal between the EU institutions this September. Reserved for tricky proposals that cannot be agreed between MEPs and governments, the conciliation process has this year already concluded deals on greenhouse gases, recycling batteries and the ¡Arhus convention on environmental justice. A European Parliament vote this month means the proposed groundwater directive on pesticides and nitrates pollution will now follow in their green footsteps. The office of Christa Klass, the MEP responsible for drafting the Parliament's response to the directive, said the conciliation process for groundwater would be formally launched after the summer recess. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the majority of EU citizens. A full sitting of MEPs on 13 June rejected a Council proposal to soften the directive by making groundwater pollution standards voluntary rather than mandatory. Other tough Parliament amendments included removing exemptions to the toxic nitrate limits for parts of Europe and increasing pressure on member states to prevent and reverse the patterns of pollution. MEPs say the changes are needed to protect human health and wildlife. Governments meanwhile are wary of imposing more rules on the agriculture sector, responsible for much EU nitrates and pesticides use. Parliament's adopted text notes that "the protection of groundwater may in some areas require a change in farming or forestry practices, which could entail a loss of income" and asks for this to be dealt with under the Union's newly reformed Common Agricultural Policy. Article reports that the proposed Directive on the protection of groundwater against pollution was to enter the conciliation process between the EU institutions in September 2006. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Environment |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
