4 March Environment Council

Date: 07/03/1996

EU environment ministers discussed the proposed ban on imports of furs caught using jaw-type leghold traps. UK minister John Gummer claimed the EU would have to implement the ban at the start of 1997 if there was not agreement on humane trapping standards by then. He claimed ministers had rejected the idea of exempting indigenous people from such a ban.

A PLAN intended to cut 'greenhouse gas' emissions from passenger vehicles through fiscal measures, voluntary agreements and vehicle labelling schemes for car buyers received ministers' backing. Possible targets include a reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars to an average of 120 grammes per kilometre and average consumption of 5 litres per 100 kilometres for petrol-powered and 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres for diesel-powered vehicles.

DESPITE opposition from Finland, Denmark and Sweden, ministers agreed on a mandate to renegotiate undertakings given to the Paris commission on maritime pollution from land-based sources. This will allow the Commission a derogation for minor users of hexachloroethane from its planned phase-out.

COUNCIL agreed conclusions on substances which damage the ozone layer and agreed on a mandate for the Commission to start talks for a protocol on the prevention of pollution in the Mediterranean caused by the tranport or disposal of waste.

MINISTERS held an orientation debate on a proposal on the sale of biocides - everyday poisonous substances such as disinfectants and rat poison. They asked Coreper, the EU's Committee of permanent representatives, to continue work towards a possible common position in June. The Nordic countries called for stricter rules than those proposed, while others said they should reflect single market regulations.

COUNCIL adopted a regulation to modify existing rules on the supervision and control of waste shipments, amending the text in line with the Basle Convention.

COREPER was asked to draw up a compromise to include a review clause in the proposal on emission standards for off-road, diesel-powered vehicles. This could include 'stage III' emission rules after the December 2003 target for 'stage II'.

A COMMON position was agreed to modify rules for the packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, changing all labels from 'EEC' to 'EC'.

CONCLUSIONS were adopted in preparation for the fourth session of the Commission for Sustainable Development in New York to be held between 18 April and 3 May.

MINISTERS discussed the idea of a framework policy for water, proposed recently by the Commission, and debated its recent review of the Fifth Action Programme on the Environment.

ENVIRONMENT Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard told ministers she would submit her proposals to modify a directive on the contained use of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). Work on plans to modify its sister directive on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment is well advanced. Delays in the marketing of genetically-modified maize were caused by objections from seven member states, added Bjerregaard.