EUROPE’S WATERWAYS AND COASTAL AREAS SET TO MEET NEW QUALITY STANDARDS
Posted, June 17, 2008 @ 15:00
MEPs backed new rules in Strasbourg today to set tough Europe-wide quality standards for more than 30 chemical substances found in our rivers, lakes and coastal areas.
The proposal sets limits on the concentrations of a number of chemical substances including some heavy metals that may damage the environmental status of our waters, and endanger the survival of animal and plant health. There is also concern that some of these chemicals could damage human health should they enter the food chain.
Extra and unnecessary reference to the shipping and dredging could have had considerable implications for our regions Ports industry. If our interests had not been supported this vital trading, employment and transport sector could have faced yet another layer of red tape that could have cost millions of pounds per year to implement. Sturdy's efforts in Strasbourg this week ensured that simple compliance with existing EU legislation could avoid such complications.
Robert Sturdy, who sits on the Environment Committee and spent two years working on the report, said he was delighted it was approved by such a huge majority of MEPs to avoid further delay in its implementation. He said:
“This is the final piece in the jigsaw of legislation needed to support the Water Framework Directive and is key to protecting our waters against harmful chemicals. There is a need for a pan-European structured framework to identify sources of pollution, backed with proposals to improve water quality in the interest of protecting our environment and supporting industry and consumer confidence.
“Measures have to be based on scientific evaluation and this report calls on the Commission to meet its commitments in assessing potentially dangerous substances and setting limits on concentrations.
“Working closely with industry organisations and environmental lobby groups, we worked out a balance between meeting our environmental responsibilities and protecting our ports and water industries from undue bureaucratic and financial burdens.”