Representatives of the EU-Member States confirm stricter rules for Emission Trading
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Good for the climate and jobs
Today, after two and a half years of negotiations the representatives of the Council of Ministers signed the reform of the EU-Emission Trading Scheme for the timeframe from 2021 until 2030. Beforehand the reform was already brokered by representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. Besides the traditionally sceptical countries like Poland, Great Britain, due to the Brexit, also raised doubts about its support of the reform in the Council of Ministers.
The environmental policy spokesman, Dr. Peter Liese, of the EPP-Group in the European Parliament welcomed the result: “I am very happy that there was a majority in the Council. The reform is good for climate protection. It helps us to reach the Paris climate goals. Innovative companies will be rewarded and we will on one hand secure jobs and on the other hand create new ones.”
The EU-Emission Trading Scheme covers 45% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of the European Union(the cap for fixed installations in 2013 was 2,084 billion).
Read more: Representatives of the EU-Member States confirm stricter rules for Emission Trading
CO2 Cars
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Peter Liese: Proposal of the European Commission is a good basis for negotiations / Demand for 60 % reduction is complete nonsense
The environmental policy spokesman, Dr. Peter Liese, of the EPP-Group in the European Parliament referred to the European Commission proposal regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions of cars, which was published on Wednesday, as a good basis for negotiations. The Commission proposed that the CO2 emissions should be reduced by 15 percent until 2025 and by 30 percent until 2030. Demands by the Greens and environmentalists for a reduction of 40 or even 60 Percent were not considered in the proposal. At the same time there should be incentives to have a high amount of electric cars in the fleet. “The transport sector has to contribute more our climate goals and I believe that the worldwide trend towards electric cars is unstoppable. Therefore, it is important that the European manufacturers quickly adapt towards this development, otherwise this important branch in Europe possibly can’t keep pace with the competition. On the other hand, we have to be very careful and give the industry some time for the conversion. Especially a lot of automotive industries strongly depend on combustion-engines. We should also help them with the conversion. I think that the demands by the greens and environmental organizations for a reduction of 40 or even 60 percent are nonsense and completely unjustified”, Liese said.
EU Commission adopts Acrylamide regulation
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Acrylamide is more dangerous than Fipronil and Glyphosate
The European Commission proposal strengthens health protection, but avoids excessive regulation
Today, the European Commission has finally adopted a regulation for the avoidance of acrylamide to better protect European consumers from related health risks.
The controversial substance acrylamide can be found in small quantities in almost anything that is roasted, baked or fried, such as crisps or chips.
Peter Liese, MEP and health spokesperson of the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats) has consistently warned of the health risks connected to acrylamide in foodstuffs.
“After speaking to many experts and in my judgment as a medical doctor, the danger of acrylamide to health is bigger than that of glyphosate and fipronil. I thought it was totally disproportionate that supermarkets pulled all eggs from stores in the summer because of the firponil scandal. If at all, there only was a health risk if you ate at least 70 eggs over the course of the summer - you should not eat that many eggs anyway because of other negative health effects.
“In contrast we have a real health issue with acrylamide. The quantities that children and young adults consume are significant and, although full certainty is missing, we have to assume that high quantities of acrylamide increase the risk of developing cancer.
Compromise on glyphosate - European Parliament proposes 5 years with strict limits
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Interests of environment, consumers and agriculture reconciled, immediately ban pre-harvest use
The European Parliament has proposed a compromise regarding the controversial pesticide glyphosate. On Tuesday the delegates voted with a big majority to allow the use of the pesticide only for the next five years, but under very strict restrictions. Especially the pre-harvest use, which is already forbidden in several European Member States, shall be forbidden all over in Europe.
The vote is legally not binding, but leads the way for the meeting of the Regulatroy Committee, that is composed of representatives of the EU Member States and the European Commission. This body will discuss this topic on Wednesday. “Even in a tough situation and regarding controversial subjects like the given one, the Parliament shows that it is possible to find reasonable compromises. An immediate ban of glyphosate is in my opinion not justified, because in this moment there are no acceptable alternatives to it. In the worst case a cocktail of several more problematic substances would be used, because it is not possible to shift the European agriculture in such a short period of time towards organic cultivation. Therefore we need time and during this period of time alternatives must be developed. Nevertheless, we think that the Commission proposal can be improved by several conditions. I find it unbearable that in some countries Glyphosate is still used directly before crop harvesting for weed control. From my point of view this is not sustainable agriculture.”