MEPs demand faster ozone action

Date: 09/12/1999

By Gareth Harding

MEPs are expected to call next week for substances which destroy the ozone layer to be phased out more quickly, setting themselves on a collision course with EU governments and delaying the new rules for up to a year.

The European Parliament's environment committee has already voted to tighten up a planned law aimed at bringing existing EU restrictions on ozone-depleting substances into line with internationally-agreed standards. Its stance is expected to win the support of the full Parliament when it meets in Strasbourg next week.

Earlier this year, EU environment ministers agreed to strengthen and supplement an international accord known as the Montreal Protocol by introducing more stringent deadlines for the phase out of ozone-destroying chemicals. But MEPs argue that these restrictions do not go far or fast enough to protect the earth's 'sun screen'.

Swedish Socialist MEP Anneli Hulthén, the Parliament's rapporteur on the issue, says that although high-level ozone has decreased by 6-10% since 1980, the problem is still "one of the most monumental environmental problems we are facing".

The assembly is expected to support her demand that the production of hydroflourocarbons, widely used in fridges and air-conditioning systems, should be cut by 70% by 2008 and 85% by 2014, followed by a total ban in 2025.

This is considerably tougher than the deadlines agreed by ministers and would not allow small installations to be granted derogations, as called for by member states.

MEPs are also likely to urge a swifter phase-out of methyl bromide, a highly-toxic chemical often used as a pesticide, and for the scrapping of temporary exemptions for two other substances which eat away at the ozone layer.

Industry groups have attacked MEPs' calls for tougher legislation, claiming the move would encourage the flourishing black market in ozone-depleting chemicals while damaging industry's competitiveness. "All they are doing is exporting European jobs overseas," said Dr Nick Campbell of the European Flourocarbon Technical Committee.

He also warned that the Parliament's tough stance would "paradoxically" delay the ozone layer's recovery as the legislation would be held up while the Parliament and Council of Ministers attempt to resolve their differences.

Campbell said that if the committee had approved the proposals agreed by ministers, a ban on sales of chloroflourocarbons - which HCFCs are meant to replace - could have been in force by the end of this year.

The assembly also voted last week to toughen up a proposed law which would set a ceiling on benzene in air in the EU for the first time. The Commission had suggested that cities facing difficulties in meeting the goals could be granted a five-year waiver. MEPs supported the Commission's limits for benzene, which is emitted by cars and chemical industries, but rejected the idea of granting temporary exemptions.

MEPs are expected to call for substances which destroy the ozone layer to be phased out more quickly, setting themselves on a collision course with EU governments and delaying the new rules for up to a year.