Brussels, 01/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - In the view of the committee on industry of the European Parliament, the strategy for raw materials should be based on effective use, recycling and cooperation with the supplier third countries, but must not neglect the environment and social concerns.
The report by German Green Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens), which was adopted by the committee on industry by 43 votes in favour, three votes against and no abstentions on Thursday 30 June, calls on the EU to carry out an ambitious strategy for innovation, focusing on the efficiency of resources and the re-use and recycling of raw materials, to guarantee the competitiveness and sustainability of the European economy for the future.
Although global demand for raw materials - such as iron, aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin and zinc but also wood and natural rubber - is increasing in line with the rise of the large emerging nations, supply is down. Mining is increasingly difficult, and with more frequent use being made of export restrictions by producer countries, prices are rocketing. However, the EU depends heavily on imports for the raw materials which are used in high-technology products such as catalysts, batteries and other renewable technologies.
Therefore, it the opinion of MEPs that the EU's strategy for raw materials should be based first and foremost on optimum provision and effective use, assisted by increased coordination between the member states. The second pillar of the strategy, recycling, must be encouraged, particularly by a harmonisation of standards. The Commission is called upon to carry out a life-cycle analysis, on the use that can be made of waste, for each sector, and look into ways of increasing levels of recycling, offering the possibility for industrial synergies. Businesses must therefore be helped to become aware that their energy and waste can be used by others as resources. The committee on industry believes that a coherent strategy for raw materials could reinvigorate the industrial base of the EU, its technological capacity and its knowledge and, therefore, stimulate competitiveness and employment. As well as low-energy re-use and recycling, attention must be paid to eco-design and longer life cycles for products. Unsurprisingly, the report stresses urban mining plans, based on the recycling of electronic waste and reopening closed landfill sites to recycle mining waste.
In the chapter on environmental considerations, the Bütikofer report stresses that the Natura 2000 directives constitute an excellent instrument to protect the environment from unscrupulous mining, but calls on the Commission to ensure that they are observed by the member states. The European executive should also assess how possible it is to sustainably exploit sensitive areas which can supply raw materials, such as the Arctic, the Barents region and Greenland.
Lastly, the Bütikofer report stresses cooperation with supplier third countries to guarantee a fair and sustainable supply of resources. MEPs take the view that raw materials diplomacy is needed, particularly for those which are critical, such as rare earth. This diplomacy should also be part of the European policies for external relations, trade, the environment and development and promote the principles of democracy, human rights, regional stability, transparency and sustainable development. The committee on industry pleads in favour of increased controls by the Commission, and by the WTO, of import and export restrictions. In this regard, the WTO's official verdict in the framework of the complaint of the United States, Mexico and the EU against China's restrictions on the export of raw materials is highly anticipated.
“The EU needs to develop an ambitious strategy focusing on resource efficiency and the re-use and recycling of raw materials to ensure that Europe's economy will be both competitive and sustainable in the future. An effective raw materials strategy implies coordinating the efforts of the EU and member states. With regard to raw material extraction within the EU, it is crucial to take account of differing land-use interests, particularly the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity, as well as protecting social concerns”, Bütikofer stated in a press release. “Guaranteeing access to raw materials through international markets must be an essential element of any strategy and the EU needs to develop a cooperation strategy with resource-rich countries to this end. Raw materials diplomacy must naturally respect development policy goals and concerns. The report also calls for the EU to push for the further development of international raw materials governance structures”, he added. “We clearly told the Commission that trade and development policies should go hand in hand. Any colonialist approach to resource-rich countries is unacceptable. We must make sure that natural resources contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth, particularly in the least developed countries. In fact, revenue from raw materials can play a crucial role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals”, said Swedish Social Democrat MEP Marita Ulvskog (S&D), who stressed that human rights, working standards and corporate social responsibility clauses should be included in any raw materials agreement between the EU and third countries. (E.H./transl.fl)