Brussels, 05/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - Apart from the partial agreement on Life Plus (EUROPE 9081) and the conclusions in favour of the inclusion of aviation in the fight against climate change (see other article), the Environment Council held an initial exploratory debate on the thematic strategy of the EU on the fight against air pollution, and a general debate on the next stages of the European policy in terms of genetically modified organisms (GMO). "This debate on GMO will not be the last", Margaret Beckett told the press. Austria, which is to pick up the baton from the United Kingdom, indicated that it wished to continue discussions. "We will then have more information on the implementation of current legislation", added Stavros Dimas, announcing that the Commission was to present the anticipated revision reports on a framework directive 2001/18/EC early in 2006 (deliberate dissemination of GMO into the environment), additional regulations "Labelling and Traceability" of GMO, and "Novel Food, Novel Feed” regulations. This debate, which was called for by Luxembourg, is particularly relevant as the Council has once again failed, for want of a qualified majority, to take position for or against the authorisation of the hybrid maize MON 8 863x810 produced by Monsanto (EUROPE 9081), which leaves the way clear for the Commission to decide on its own, going against the majority opinion.
On the thematic strategy on air pollution, the delegations said that they subscribed to the long-term objectives aiming to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by atmospheric pollution by 2020, but they also called for greater flexibility to be given to the Member States to respect their obligations. Commissioner Dimas did not hide the fact that on this point, he had hoped for a more ambitious attitude on the part of the Council.