Mr President, I am here, this evening, to present a report which relates to the improvement of the quality of fuels. The European Parliament was involved in drafting this legislation, which was originally approved in 1998, in other words, over three years ago; and Parliament was quite successful in using the co-decision procedure to push through cleaner fuels, which significantly facilitate a reduction in traffic emissions. Even at that stage, the European Parliament noticed that one crucial factor in improving the quality of a fuel is a reduction in its sulphur content. In the course of the co-decision procedure and conciliation, we accomplished a significant lowering in the sulphur content of both petrol and diesel, despite the way in which the oil industry stridently emphasised the costs of this programme. On the other hand, we can state that the motor industry and catalyst industry considered it absolutely essential that these low-sulphur, cleaner fuels would be introduced to the market, since, otherwise, it would not have been possible for them to bring about cleaner, better and more advanced engines which feature lower emissions. We are now at the directive revision stage, at which the Commission, quite rightly, has noted that sulphur is an even more strategic ingredient in the quality of fuels than we then understood. The Commission proposes that by 2011 both petrol and diesel fuel should, for all practical purposes, be sulphur-free. We are talking about very low contents. This is of essential importance, since it has been observed that the consumption of fuels also falls when the sulphur content is reduced, and, in the meantime, climate policy has become a central objective in the European Union. We must find all possible means by which we can reduce car fuel consumption. This is, indeed, one of the most important aims of this proposal. Hopefully, then, the European Parliament will come to the decision tomorrow that we will attain one hundred percent of the target of getting these sulphur-free fuels on the market as early as 2008, rather than by 2011 as the Commission is proposing. In our judgment, this is entirely possible, and it will be a positive influence on the development of cars. The motor industry will be able to develop better and more advanced engines, which will use less fuel. We are also proceeding from the assumption, which the Commission also proposes, that this introduction to the market shall start in 2005. It is important that Parliament decides that sulphur-free fuels should be available (by stages) throughout the area of the Union, with the first steps being made in 2005. We are also demanding that this availability be geographically comprehensive. Previously, the situation has been that the various Member States have proceeded at slightly different rates with regard to this improvement in the quality of fuels. The Environment Committee proposes that the Member States be offered the possibility of certain transitional periods or derogations when this directive is next revised. Parliament is proposing that this revision take place a year earlier than was decided by the Commission: we would like the revision to take place during 2005. Despite the demands of certain parties, the Environment Committee has decided that in this connection no topics other than sulphur should be involved. We can then return to the question of fuel quality parameters other than sulphur during the course of the revision in 2005. In my opinion, this is a well-justified policy, since the Commission will have time to study this topic in the meantime. I would also like to stress that a transition must be made to using cleaner fuels also in work machinery, or non-road machines of this type. This is entirely possible: in eight Member States diesel fuels are already being used in work machinery. Hopefully, Parliament will decide, tomorrow, that these work machines must begin to use cleaner fuels to the same extent as vehicles on the roads.

Political group: Verts-ALE