RESOLUTION OF THE ECSC CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE on the Community's Environmental Protection Policies (adopted unanimously at the 241st session of 23 March 1984) (84/C 114/02)

THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE,

Conscious of the growing concern in the Community at the damage to the environment attributed to emmission from fossil fuel combustion,

Noting in particular in this respect: - the conclusions of the European Council of 17 to 19 June 1983 and of the Council of Environment Ministers of 28 and 29 November and of 16 December 1983,

- the opinion of the European Parliament on the proposal for a Council Directive on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants (adopted on 18 November 1983),

- the deliberations of the symposium on "Acid deposition - A challenge for Europe" held by the Commission in Karlsruhe on 19 to 21 September 1983,

- the Council Directive on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants dated 1 March 1984,

Reaffirming the references to the increasing importance of environmental protection and the need for firm scientific data contained in its resolution of 21 June 1983 (1) on the working programme on solid fuels,

Recalling that the Community has already laid down limit values and guide values for concentrations SO2 and suspended particulates in the atmosphere (Directive 80/779/EEC),

Noting that under the third EEC action programme on the environment the Commission has submitted to the Council a number of proposals for legislation relating to air pollution, in particular: - a proposal for a Council Directive on air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (COM(83) 498 final),

- a proposal for a Council Directive concerning limits for the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere from large combustion installations (COM(83) 704 final),

Taking account of the draft Commission proposal for a Council Decision revising the sectoral research and development programme in the field of the environment (environmental protection and climatology) - indirect and concerted action 1981 to 1985,

Acknowledging that the principle of precaution may suggest the introduction of certain environmental protection measures before irrefutable proof is available of the causes of damage to the environment,

Pointing out nevertheless that the mechanisms to which environmental damage is attributed, although currently the subject of widespread research within and beyond the Community, are not yet sufficiently understood to give reasonable assurance that such new measures proposed will be effective,

Mindful of the considerable capital expenditure and substantial increases in operating costs which will need to be borne by Community electricity producers and consumers, and by other fossil fuel users, in the event of a decision to implement fully flue gas desulphurization and other measures to reduce gaseous emissions,

Considering that there are other ways of correcting environmental acidity speedily and economically,

Urging that greater account be taken as regards the implementation of Community environmental legislation and of the resulting cost which could have an adverse effect on the competitiveness of Community industry and the level of employment therein, 1. Welcomes the attention being paid at Community level to the environmental consequences of fossil fuel combustion;

2. Reiterates the pressing need to intensify and redirect research in this field, to establish the causes of environmental acidification or damage and the relationship between emissions from fossil fuel combustion and acid deposition ; (1) OJ No C 191, 16.7.1983.

3. Invites the Commission to establish, as a matter of urgency, corresponding EEC, ECSC and nationalfunded research programmes;

4. Calls for urgent investigation of the causes of forest damage and for urgent field trials of less costly treatment for ecosystem acidification;

5. Urges that due priority be given to the funding of such actions;

6. Calls upon the Commission to request the Council to give careful consideration to national and regional steps already taken in certain member countries to overcome the effects of environmental pollution but also to give careful consideration to the possible economic and social consequences of so doing;

7. Calls upon the Commission to submit to the Council a well-balanced programme and a phased time schedule socially, financially and scientifically soundly-based, that ensure that the proposed Community environmental policy programme can be properly implemented.