EU Commission must not row back on environmental standards
Press Release by EFA MEP Jill Evans
Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans (Wales), in a speech to the European Parliament today has pledged to keep up the pressure on the EU Commission not to row back on its environmental commitments.
Today’s proposals from EU President Junker at the presentation of the EU Commission's Work Programme to the European Parliament were leaked last week. Plans to scrap air quality standards and recycling measures were heavily criticised.
At risk are a clean air directive designed to reduce the health impacts from air pollution caused by vehicles, industry and power plants, and a waste directive that would set Member States the target of recycling 70% of waste by 2030.
These crucial plans are aimed at making Europe use resources more wisely and address the air pollution public health crisis.
With these measures in place as many as 58,000 premature deaths from air pollution would be prevented each year by 2030.
Axing these packages would not only set back progress in these areas by years, but would also be a victory for big business and those pushing for deregulation.
But today the EU Commission stated that they would be bringing forward a more ambitious proposal.
Jill Evans MEP said:
"Like many of my colleagues I was shocked last week to hear that this Commission was proposing to scrap new environmental laws on clean air and waste recycling targets.
"It sent out a very negative message to those who expect the EU to take the lead in environmental action. I know from experience in Wales that these are crucial public health issues and would create thousands of green jobs. So we will take as a promise that you will bring forward more ambitious proposals
"I will not allow these issues to be delayed and together with businesses, community groups and environmental groups throughout Wales I will keep the pressure on the Commission to make good its promise."
