Brussels, 26/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The current legislative process on revision of the national emissions ceiling (NEC) directive to improve air quality will not be halted, European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella told the European Parliament environment and public health committee on Tuesday 24 February.
The proposal presented in December 2013 as part of the clean air legislative package (see EUROPE 10987), will not then be dropped, as the Commission - despite its denials - had considered, but, much to the satisfaction of MEPs, will be amended following first reading.
Vella stated clearly that the draft directive on national emissions ceilings would remain on the table and said that, within the ongoing negotiations, the Commission would bring forward an amended proposal. This, he said, would take account of the positions of the co-legislators, reflect synergies with the energy and climate policies and focus, too, on reducing the administrative load but without compromising the objective to be achieved. Now that estimated costs are available based on the information provided by the member states, it is important to take the discussion forward at political level, he argued. While acknowledging that problems remain to be resolved, he added that it was important that a high level of ambition be maintained to reduce serious effects on public health.
The revised draft directive on the Parliament and Council table sets tighter ceilings for the six main pollutants by 2025, to be complied with by 2030, and introduces provisions on methane and ammonia.
At the first political debate in the Environment Council on 12 June of last year, ministers expressed their concern over what they saw as the overly high level of ambition and several delegations called for a more in-depth impact assessment of the proposal, particularly with regard to the agricultural sector. Plans to withdraw the proposal provoked a general outcry, even within the Council, despite the fact that several member states only meet the provisions of the existing legislation with the greatest difficulty.
Commissioner Vella also assured MEPs that the European Commission would work hard to achieve the hoped for first reading agreement on the new draft directive that seeks to reduce pollution by sulphur dioxide and micro-particles from medium-sized combustion plants - a directive that also forms part of the clean air package. (Aminata Niang)