Press Release: Environment Council, Brussels, 13.12.99

The Council reached agreement on the text of a Recommendation providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in Member States with a view to adopting a common position at a later meeting. The aim of the Recommendation is to strengthen the compliance with and to contribute to a more consistent implementation and enforcement of Community environmental law in the Member States.

The Council was not able to reach political agreement on a common position concerning a proposed amendment to Directive 88/609/EEC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants.

The Council reached a political agreement on its common position on a Directive providing for the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment.

The Council reached a political agreement on its common position on the proposal for a Directive on limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air. The aim is to provide a high level of protection for public health and to improve the quality of life for EU citizens, especially in big cities.

The Council adopted Conclusions regardings its preparations for the negotiations on the Biosafety Protocol due in January 2000 in Montreal.

The Council heard that from the Commission that the 6th Environmental Action Programme should be a short, strategic and political project, drafted in a clear and readable way and should be submitted in the autumn of 2000.

The Council took note of a Presidency report on the state of play regarding two interrelated Commission proposals for Directives: on national emission ceilings for certain air pollutants and on ozone in ambient air.

The Environment Commissioner gave a presentation previewing the Environment Work Programme for 2000: the challenge of enlargement and improving the quality of life for citizens were key issues. There would be a White Paper on environmental liabiity. Preparatory work for the entering into force of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change will be another main objective. The Commission aims to help the international community reach agreement on the Biosafety Protocol.

The Council took note of a report from the Commission on the state of work with respect to the review of the EU approach concerning the protection from dangers of chemicals in order to restore citizens confidence in chemicals inter alia by deciding for which chemicals additional information is needed.