Split delays directive to protect lakes and rivers

Date: 04/03/1999

By Renée Cordes

DEEP divisions between EU governments and the European Parliament mean tough new rules designed to clean up the Union's polluted lakes and rivers are unlikely to be agreed for at least another year.

Parliamentary officials predict that the prelimary deal on a 'framework' water directive set to be adopted by EU environment ministers next Thursday (11 March) will not be tough enough to satisfy MEPs and warn that it is likely to take months for the two sides to hammer out a final compromise on the new legislation. "I think we are looking at possible conciliation talks under the Portuguese presidency next spring," said one official.

The Parliament is concerned about the reluctance of Union governments to introduce rules which would oblige people to pay for the 'full cost' of water.

Currently, water prices within the EU reflect the cost of transporting water from purification plants to homes, offices and factories. However, they do not, in general, include the cost of cleaning water.

MEPs also want EU governments to agree to ban the dumping of all dangerous substances in the Union's water supplies by 2020. Environment ministers would, however, prefer to base their timetable on an international anti-pollution agreement known as the OSPAR treaty, which remains to be ratified by several signatory states.

There is also a political element to the dispute. The proposed directive is being discussed under the EU's 'cooperation' procedure, giving MEPs only a limited say.

However, once the Amsterdam Treaty enters into force - probably in June - the issue will be covered by the 'co-decision' procedure, which gives the Parliament the right to throw out proposals.