EU marine environment strategy emerges

Environment Daily 1910, 29/06/05

The EU's forthcoming framework directive on the marine environment will aim to bring European seas back to "good environmental status" by 2021.  The European Commission is due to propose the directive plus a communication as a thematic strategy on the marine environment after the summer.

The draft directive and communication, seen by Environment Daily, provide a framework for EU countries to set up, by 2016, marine strategies aimed at restoring and protecting the seas by 2021.  The Commission has been developing the strategy since a communication it issued in 2002.

The directive contains a list of criteria which can be used to assess good environmental status, such as bringing synthetic substance concentrations down to "near zero", and maintaining or restoring natural diversity.

This list is currently the most controversial part of the strategy.

Some member states are reportedly pushing for its removal on the grounds that it is too ambitious.  Groups like Greenpeace, on the other hand, say they are disappointed to see few measurable criteria contained in the definition of good environmental status.

In its current form the framework directive is "afloat, even seaworthy," said Saskia Richartz of Greenpeace.  But the group would like the directive's general objective to be backed by more detailed targets for the recovery and protection of species and ecosystems.

It also believes the overall timetable could be accelerated.  Member states ought to meet many of the criteria under existing EU laws anyway, said Ms Richartz.  A deadline earlier than 2021 might therefore be appropriate.

Michael Scott of European environmental advisory councils group EEAC welcomed the fact that many of the definitions on the list are taken from EEAC recommendations calling for a clear definition of a marine "desired state".

He said the framework directive showed the Commission was "genuinely trying to tackle [marine environmental] issues.  We're happy, this is an ambitious document".

He was concerned however about one extension clause.  This says EU countries "shall not be in breach of this directive" if economic and social benefits outweigh environmental benefits to a marine region.

The extension could be abused by member states looking for a get out clause to cover almost any behaviour, Mr Scott claimed.

Follow-up: European Commission http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm.  See also marine thematic strategy website http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/consult_marine.htm.