Brussels, 24/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved through written procedure the three-year "sliding" action plan (2002-2004) that will allow the Community framework for cooperation in the field of accidental or intentional marine pollution, established until 2006, to be implemented.
Proposed at an initiative by Margot Wallström, Environment Commissioner, the plan announces actions to be taken, with a budget of EUR 1 million annually in order to support efforts deployed by the Member States at national, regional or local level in favour of safeguarding the marine environment, shores and human health. The priorities of action for 2002 are animal welfare, the protection of aquaculture, response to pollution by hydrocarbons at sea and along the coast, as well as illegal dumping from vessels at sea. Priority in 2003 will go to the exchange of experts, actions intended to support environmental impact studies after an accident, assessment of the progress made in implementing the mid-term cooperation framework, as well as actions to foster the exchange of information on risks related to the dumping of munitions at sea. For 2004, priorities will be defined after a call for proposals to be launched in autumn 2003. This plan of action will be reviewed in 2004.