Ministers water down marine directive

EU countries have set themselves an aspirational objective to achieve "good environmental status" of marine waters by 2021, as part of a political agreement on a proposed marine strategy directive reached on Monday.

In its original proposal, the European commission recommended making the obligation binding on member states by the same date (EED 21/10/05 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/19671).  Parliament went a step further in its first reading vote, demanding the target be met by 2017 (EED 15/11/06 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/22051).  Instead, member states want the law to require only that they "aim" to achieve or maintain good environmental status of EU marine waters by 2021.

In addition, member states will not be required to take action to improve environmental quality "where the costs would be disproportionate to the risks to the marine environment".  Italy's environment minister voiced concern over the wording, asking what it would mean in practice.

Under the agreement, each member state will be obliged to assess the current environmental status of its own waters within four years of the directive entering force, and a year later, must establish environmental targets and indicators.  By 2016, governments must develop programmes to achieve good environmental status and put them into practice within two years.

Ministers included a definition of "good environmental status" in their text, pointing to "ecologically diverse oceans and seas" which are "clean, healthy and productive".  Use of the marine environment should be "at level that is a sustainable, thus safeguarding the potential for uses and activities by current and future generations".

Italy was the only member state not to endorse the agreement, although a number of delegations made it clear that they also harbour reservations. Notably, the UK, Sweden and Denmark favour making the objective to achieve good environmental status binding.

Last week, the commission was citing the UK as one of the countries pushing for an aspirational target.  Its apparent change of heart may encourage MEPs to continue pushing for a stronger text at second reading.

EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said it was "regrettable" that ministers had not been as ambitious as either the commission or parliament.  Environmental campaigners Seas at Risk said the agreement "spells tragedy for the marine environment".

Follow-up: EU Council of ministers http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/index.htm, tel: +32 2 281 6211, plus marine directive draft political agreement http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/06/st16/st16171-ad01.en06.pdf.

 See also Seas at Risk press release http://www.endseuropedaily.com/docs/61218a.doc and Greenpeace briefing http://www.greenpeace.eu/downloads/oceans/MSD_Q&A.pdf.

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