Brussels, 04/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - The position of the Council on the review of air quality legislation is “a step forward but still poses serious risk for the agriculture sector in some member states”, in the view of Copa and Cogeca, the EU agricultural organisations and cooperatives.
On 16 December, environment ministers agreed a general approach on the proposal revising the directive on air pollutants (see EUROPE 11455). Ammonia targets were reduced (an EU-wide 18% reduction by 2030 rather than the 27% reduction initially proposed by the European Commission). Ministers also removed any ceiling on methane emissions.
For Copa-Cogeca, however, this is still not enough, arguing that national targets will threaten food production in some member states. They say that the agreement “does not take into account the global recognition in Paris that agriculture should adapt to the adverse effects of climate change in a way that does not threaten food production”.
“The European agriculture sector has already cut ammonia emissions almost by 30% since 1990, and this should be acknowledged. It is important to think of what can really be achieved in a cost-efficient way, without harming especially small and medium holdings”, the European organisations state.
It is very difficult to imagine that the targets set by the Council will be cut. The opposite is more likely to be true since the European Parliament, with which the Council will open talks to come to a compromise on the text, is arguing for very ambitious targets, close to the initial Commission proposals (see EUROPE 11420). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)