For immediate release: 31 January 2012Contact Person: Marta Gomez, +32 491 050 893Brussels, 31 January 2012 // Today, the European Commission (EC) has released a proposal to add 15 chemicals to the list of 33 pollutants that are monitored and controlled in EU surface waters. This will be achieved through a revision of the Directive on priority substances in the field of water quality. The Commission announces that the proposed substance are the result of a review analyzing the risks caused by some 2000 substances according to their levels in surface waters, and their hazardousness, production and use.“EUREAU welcomes this proposal and supports the activities of the EC regarding the priority substances”, comments Carl-Emil Larsen, President of EUREAU. “EUREAU and its members emphasize that for the reduction of these substances in surface water, the focus should be put on source control and on strong control on the admission and use of these substances.”EUREAU is concerned about the existence and the use of persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic substances in households, services and industries. EUREAU is also concerned about the emerging pollutants (e.g. as pharmaceuticals1)...more
|
Yesterday, 25 January 2012, the EP Water Group hold a meeting in the Tirol representation in Brussels on the Danish priorities for the water sector. Ms Ida Auken, Danish Minister of Environment, presented the main priorities the presidency will put forwards in the next six months in front of 115 participants.Ms Ida Auken stressed the need of tight cooperation with the different stakeholders and experts on water to make a difference in the environmental agenda of the EU. She pointed that the EU and the rest of the world are facing not just an economical crisis but as well a climate and resource crisis "the crises are mutually interlinked and must be solved coherently" Auken said. "No solution of the economic crisis without renewed economic growth and job creation. No economic growth and job creation in Europe without improved competitiveness – and no improved competiveness without a substantial improvement in resource efficiency."Ms Auken highlighted that water is a hot topic for next years. At the Council the priorities for the Danish presidency are: the 7th Environmental Action Programme, where the water is a priority; the RIO +20 conference with the event on water pollution and...more
|
18 January 2011, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Member of the European Parliament, has presented in Strasbourg the prioritiesof the Danish presidency.In a challenging moment for Europe, the six month "Danish Presidency will work tireless (...) to ensure than the EU continues to produce tangible, useful results", says Thorning-Schmidt. She claimed for an active cooperation from all stakeholders; Member States, European institutions and civil society, as well the need of a united European Union to overcome challenges.The Prime Minister highlighted the Presidency's four priorities fo a responsible, dynamic, greener and safer Europe. Commiting herself to achieve those priorities, she pointed out the main challenges of the EU as considering Europe part of the solution and not the problem. In a unify Europe everybody has to work to make it advance.Next week the Danish Minister of Environment, will address the EP Water Group to the priorities on water field.View the Prime Minister's full speech here....more
|
