Strasbourg, 16/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by French Socialist Marie-Noëlle Lienemann, the European Parliament has carried out an indepth reshuffling of the Council common position concerning the framework directive for Community action in the water sector. The Parliament calls for more effective measures according to a timetable that is shorter than that foreseen by the Council: the implementation of the directive would stretch over 22 years instead of 36. It calls in particular for dangerous substances to be eliminated by 2020 at the latest.
The Commission has accepted most of the Parliament's amendments which bring into question the timid and fragile compromise reached by a divided Council after over four hours of discussion. Speaking, after the vote, of the "enormous joint lobbying by governments and the chemicals industry", the Greens Group described as "remarkable" the result reached with majorities of over 350 and even 400 votes. EUROPE will come back to the debate and votes tomorrow.