COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the council on the adoption of a decision of the european parliament and of the council laying down the sixth community environment action programme

1- BACKGROUND

>TABLE POSITION>

2- OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMISSION PROPOSAL

The proposal outlines the priorities for action on the environment for the next ten years and provides the environmental component of the Community's strategy for sustainable development. It continues to pursue some of the objectives from the Fifth Environment Action Programme, which came to an end in 2000, but goes further, adopting a more strategic approach. It calls for the active involvement and accountability of all sections of society in the search for innovative, workable and sustainable solutions to today's environmental problems.

The proposal identifies four priority areas:

* Climate Change

* Nature and Biodiversity

* Environment and Health

* Natural Resources and Waste

To achieve improvements in these areas, the new Programme sets out five strategic approaches:

* Ensure the implementation of existing environmental legislation;

* Integrate environmental concerns into all relevant policy areas;

* Work closely with business and consumers to identify solutions;

* Ensure better and more accessible information on the environment for citizens;

* Develop a more environmentally conscious attitude towards land use.

While the proposal emphasises the need for more effective implementation, it also seeks to engage a wider constituency, including business, which can only gain from a successful environmental policy, through new and innovative instruments for meeting complex environmental challenges. Legislation is not abandoned, but a more effective use of legislation is sought together with a more participatory approach to policy making.

3- COMMENTS ON THE COMMON POSITION

3. 1 Overall assessment

The Common Position represents a significant step forward in the development of a programme that gives broad general direction to the European Union's environment policy for the next ten years. The Presidency conclusions after the European Council in Gothenburg recognised the importance of the Sixth Environment Action Programme. Effectively endorsing the approach taken in the Common Position, they recognised the contribution of the programme to the Sustainable Development Strategy and to the integration of environmental aspects into all 'relevant Community policy areas', such as energy and transport.

Article 1 and 2 - Themes and objectives

The common position follows the Commission proposal that gives focus to four strategic priority challenges, rather than trying to produce a detailed work programme.

The Common Position sets a general deadline of 4 years following adoption of the programme for the preparation of implementing measures. The Commission reminds the Institutions of its general policy that it is unable to take on board new work to defined timescales without the necessary financial and human resources. Nevertheless, because of the key importance of this programme in delivering the environmental goals of sustainable development, the Commission supports this indicative deadline.

The legal basis of the Community Action Programme on the Environment is Article 175 (3) EC Treaty, which provides for the co-decision procedure for general action programmes. It follows from this provision that the decision to adopt a programme is of a general nature and that the measures necessary to implement the programme are the subject of supplementary Community decisions. Consequently, articles 1 and 2 establish broad objectives that guide environment policy and, by implication, integration and progress towards sustainable development. No new 'quantitative targets' are included in the programme, which confirms the nature of the programme and that these need to be set in a second stage on the basis of the best available data. This must be done in consultation with stakeholders, who deliver the necessary results to allow the targets to be met.

Article 3 - innovative instruments to complement legislation

Once again there is widespread agreement to the need to use innovative means to meet environmental goals. The promotion of a greater use of different policy tools including legislation and co-regulation mechanisms is confirmed in the Common Position.

Article 4 - the role and nature of thematic strategies

The Commission's proposal for the use of thematic strategies, largely contained in the Communication accompanying the proposal for a decision, has been welcomed as an innovative approach to dealing with a series of complex issues.

All Institutions recognised the need for the definition of the strategies, on the basis of wide consultation with socio-economic actors, to involve the Council and Parliament to ensure the necessary political backing for the measures that will be proposed. However, Council accepted the need to give the Commission flexibility and to avoid excessively long procedural adoption of the strategies themselves. Thus, for the strategies, the final wording is to recommend the use of a decision under Article 175, where appropriate - ie where the maturity of the subject makes this reasonable.

Article 5 - climate change, confirmation of the approach

The overall approach of the Commission, consisting of a recognition of the IPCC's [1] conclusions but in practical terms working towards meeting the more modest Kyoto target, has been confirmed. The important contributions of energy, transport and industry are re-emphasised by Council in the Common Position text.

[1] Intergovernmental panel on climate change

Article 6 - emphasising restoration and conservation

The Common Position, in line with the views of all Institutions, provides renewed focus on the need to establish and implement the Natura 2000 network, with extension to marine areas and within the candidate countries. The importance of measures to protect bio-diversity, for instance in implementing the CBD [2] Action Plans or measures to combat invasive alien species, has been given greater emphasis.

[2] Convention on Biodiversity

Article 7 - Health and quality of life

All Institutions recognise the need to give greater emphasis to protecting human health when developing environment policy. This has implications for newer work, for instance on chemicals, pesticides and noise, as well as for the more established areas like air and water, which are largely implementation challenges.

Consensus has been reached that, while theoretically desirable, it is impossible to eliminate all risk to health. Instead the focus must be on minimising impact. However, the focus for environment policy should be to encourage new, cleaner and profitable solutions, for example in the production and use of chemicals and pesticides in industry and agriculture.

The significance of the urban environment is given focus by the inclusion of a new section that makes provision for a thematic strategy on the subject, including the promotion of efficient transport generally and public transport in particular.

Article 8 - Efficient management of resources and focus on preventing waste

The sustainable consumption and use of resources is addressed in the Common Position by a focus on eco-efficiency that offers win-win solutions to business/consumers/environment. Similarly, future waste policy needs to take account of the integrated product policy approach, supported by encouraging re-use and, for wastes that are still generated, giving preference to recovery and especially to recycling. On targets, Council accepted that waste was a particularly complex area and that negotiations on a general action programme were not the best way to set new targets. The Commission has been invited, however, to come back with a series of targets in 2002.

Article 10 - Improving policy-making, reporting and evaluation

There is broad agreement that environment policy-making needs to be modernised with new methodologies and techniques that involve a much wider section of society in the process. In this way, policies are more likely to be close to reality and stand a chance of achieving improvements. The Common Position confirms this approach, and makes it clear that full transparency will be needed in the process, which should be based on clear guide-lines and established procedures, whilst allowing the necessary flexibility. Evaluation of the impacts of policy proposals and of the effectiveness of existing measures is now emphasised, and this, linked to the requirement for a sustainability impact assessment as part of the Sustainable Development Strategy, represents a major step forward.

3.2 Detailed assessment

A detailed analysis of how the European Parliament's amendments have been incorporated into the Common Position now follows. Parliament adopted 226 amendments. The Commission has accepted 30 amendments in full, and has accepted a further 92 in part and/or in principle. The remaining amendments could not be accepted. Notwithstanding this, all but 42 amendments are addressed one way or another in the common position. The Commission's position on all the amendments is summarised in the annex.

A. Parliamentary Amendments accepted by the Commission, which have been incorporated totally or partially in the Common Position

Recitals

Recital 30 adds a reference to transport policy, as suggested in amendment 14. A general reference to access to information and justice (amendment 16) is contained in recital 15, and a specific reference to the Aarhus Convention is in article 3.9. Reference to stakeholders, as indicated in amendment 261, is covered in recitals 14 and 33.

Principles and overall aims

The main operational objectives, previously in article 2 on aims, have been transferred to the thematic and general articles 5-10 (amendments 26-33). In so doing, article 2 now provides a more succinct overview of the principles and overall aims. Moreover, this responds in general to amendments 21, 24, 34, 35, 37, 39 and 40. However, more specific references to soils (35) and economic instruments (37) are addressed in articles 6.2.c and 8.2.i.e respectively.

Strategic approaches

Amendment 276 (including amendment 44) concerning the role of the development of environmental legislation, and the principles for such legislation (in line with those set out in article 174.2 of the Treaty) is taken up in article 3.1/3.2 and article 2.1 respectively. The issue of substitution, however, not found in article 174.2, is taken up in articles 7.1 and 7.2.c in relation to chemicals and pesticides. Article 3.2 also takes up amendments 55 and 62 on implementation, as well as 61 on permitting, inspection monitoring and enforcement by Member States. It also takes up in general terms amendments 57, 58 and 59 on dealing with infringements.

The sense of part of amendments 69 and 292 on environmental competence in enterprises is addressed in article 3.5 through the strategic approach of improving collaboration and partnership with enterprises with a view to improving their environmental performance, including SMEs (amendment 74).

An overall reference to research (amendment 54) is now set out in detail in article 10d, including reference to the Community Framework Programme (amendment 173).

Article 3.4 extends the reference to market based and economic instruments, including fiscal measures, thereby taking up amendment 75 and elements of amendment 68. Article 3.5 addresses amendment 72 by means of emphasising procedures in the event of non-compliance with voluntary agreements. The remaining issues contained in amendment 68, on responsibility and liability, are either covered by the article 3.8 and the general provisions on polluter pays, or in the case of civil liability are beyond the scope of this environment action programme.

The ideas expressed in amendments 82, 88 and 92 on participation, information and awareness are taken up in article 3.9. Similarly, while there is no specific reference to involvement of local communities (amendment 53), the Commission considers them covered in article 3.6 (public bodies), 3.9 (NGOs and citizens) and 3.10 (exchanges of experience).

Amendment 96 on encouragement for regional planning promotion of exchange of experience has been taken up in article 3.10. This also covers the detailed demands contained in amendments 93, 97, 98 and 101, so that specific highlighting of programmes and areas is unnecessary. Amendment 246 on agri-environment measures re-states the original Commission proposal and continues to be reflected in article 3.10.

Thematic strategies

Further clarity concerning the thematic strategy approach is provided in a new article 4. This article sets out provisions on the basic structure for thematic strategies: the form (a Decision, where appropriate, thereby leaving necessary flexibility to the Commission) the process and the need for a range of measures e.g. legislative and non-legislative actions, consultation, deadlines and reporting. In this way, the terms of amendment 20 are directly addressed.

The general issues to be addressed in the thematic strategies, reflecting in part the amendments, are now stated in more detail:

Article 6.2c (amendment 148) - soil

Article 6.2g (amendment 157) - marine environment

Article 7.2c (amendment 188) - pesticides

Article 7.2f - air

Article 7.2h (amendments 171 and 207) - urban environment

Article 8.2i (amendments 212 and 213) - use and management of resources

Article 8.2iii (amendment 217) - waste recycling

Climate change

Amendment 104 defines the general aim of the action on climate change and is retained in article 2.2, 1st indent. However, reference to a 50% reduction by 2040 in emissions of greenhouse gases does not add to the IPCC objective of 70% overall reductions, contained in article 2. The figure of 50% may be over- or under-ambitious, depending on developments.

Explicit reference to identified sectors, as demanded in amendment 114, is now addressed through the more comprehensive sectoral initiatives for energy, transport, industrial production and other sectors (article 5.2). Similarly, the specific requests in relation to transport (amendments 116, 117, 127, 128, 287), energy (123) and industry (120) are addressed in general terms in article 5.2. The specific established target for achieving 18% gross electricity production from combined heat and power (123) is reflected in article 5.2.ii.d. However the other elements of amendment 123 including the altered target for renewables, and the detailed target for alternative fuels (287) have not been considered appropriate in this general action programme. While article 5.2.vi.a maintains a reference to a framework for energy - rather than environmental - taxation, article 2.3 now emphasises that account be taken of the need to internalise environmental costs, thereby going part way to meeting Parliament's amendment on full internalisation of external costs (amendment 291).

Technology transfer needs, and work with third countries in general, introduced in amendment 251 are now taken up in article 5.5, while article 5.4 addresses the enlargement aspects of climate change, an element of amendment 254.

Biodiversity

Amendment 133 defines the general aim of the action on nature and biodiversity and is retained in article 2.2, 2nd indent, reinforced in article 6.1 in relation to biodiversity decline.

Article 6.1 also takes up amendments 134 and 136 on protecting the natural environment and soils, the substance of amendment 137 in relation to the Community biodiversity strategy, amendment 138 on valuable landscapes, amendment 140 on genetic loss, and amendment 141 on water (although this is mainly addressed in article 7). The references in amendment 137 to the Habitats and Birds Directives are introduced in article 6.2.a.

Articles 6.2.a and 6.2.g incorporate amendments 142 and 143 on Natura 2000. The general point made on protecting species, especially endangered species, and appropriate research (amendment 144 and 145) is included in article 6.1 and 6.2a.

Greater definition has been given to the role of agriculture in protecting nature and biodiversity (article 6.2f) although it is not necessary to constrain actions in this area to the context of the CAP review scheduled for 2003 (amendments 150 and 257). The substance of amendment 151 on integrated plans at all levels can be found in the general pursuit of the Community biodiversity strategy in line with the principle of subsidiarity (article 6.2a). Reference to the UN forum on Forests (amendment 155) has been added in article 6.2h.

Parliament's call for cross-border green belt networks (amendment 156) has been covered by a general reference to cross-border co-operation in article 9.2 (i).

The specific goal of ratification and implementation of the Cartagena protocol on biosafety (amendment 158) now appears in article 6.2 (i). Similarly, the need to address health concerns of biotechnology and genetically modified products is taken up in this article (amendment 259).

Specific reference to integrated coastal zone management is taken up in article 6.2g although it is premature to insist upon a legislative framework (amendment 268) pending the outcome of discussions on the current proposal for a recommendation.

Environment and health and quality of life

Amendment 160 defines the general aim of the action on environment and health and quality of life and is retained in article 2.2, 3rd indent, except in relation to the specific highlighting of food and drinking water.

Amendments 161, 167, 169 and 170 on understanding threats to environment and health, water quality, air quality and noise levels have been incorporated into article 7.1 on objectives.

Article 7.2a now includes a reference to the health impacts on electromagnetic pollution (amendments 172 and 204), and to updating health standards and limit values by reference also to synergies and the reciprocal impact of various pollutants (amendment 174). Greater co-ordination of research (amendment 175) is also included but not the specific areas suggested for examination. These issues are more properly dealt with in the 6th framework programme of research and technological development itself.

Concerning chemicals, it is agreed in article 7.2b that those that are of very high concern must be subject to authorisation (amendment 179). A deadline of the mid-term review for the entry into force of necessary measures on chemicals responds to the main demand in amendment 289. The need for the POPs convention to be ratified (amendment 182) is taken up in article 7.2.d and there is also an umbrella provision on ratification of international conventions in article 9.2.d (amendment 181). Amendment 183 on the Rotterdam Convention is included as an editorial revision (article 7.2.d).

Article 7.2.e on water includes more developed reference to the Water Framework Directive (although this cannot be implemented entirely within the timescale of this programme - amendment 193) and to the Bathing Water Directive (amendment 194).

Article 7.2g now contains general provisions on noise emissions responding to amendment 282.

Natural resources and wastes

Amendment 278 (first part) defines the general aim of the action on natural resources and wastes and is retained in article 2.2, 4th indent, although the detailed targets are not accepted, being inappropriate in this action general action programme. However, the objectives of ensuring that consumption of resources does not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment (amendment 37) and minimising waste and its hazardousness, expressed in the latter part of amendment 278 are reflected in article 8.1.

Article 8.2.i.d provides for more sustainable production and extraction methods, taking up the ideas expressed in amendment 213.

Article 8.2iv now provides for action on legislation concerning packaging and batteries and on construction and demolition waste (amendments 215 and 216).

International issues

Amendment 226 on multilateral environment agreements and amendment 229 on the precautionary principle are incorporated into article 9.2h and 9.2f. The thrust of amendment 230 on sustainability impact assessments of trade agreements is now reflected in article 9.2g.

Amendments 231 and 232, calling for reinforced co-operation with Russia and Mediterranean and Baltic regions is now indicated in a more general reference in article 9.2i.

Policy making

Provisions on information, participation and decision-making, the subject of amendments 234 and 237 are now addressed by article 3.3 and 3.9 on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention. The development of common principles on dialogue (amendment 236) is also addressed under article 10a. Provisions on evaluation procedures (amendment 241) have been incorporated in article 10c.

Reiteration of the role of strategic environmental assessments (SEAs - amendment 238) is now taken up in article 3.3.

The participation of local authorities and scientific fora is addressed generally in article 10, and specifically through building bridges to, inter alia, actors in the field of research (amendments 237 and 240).

Monitoring

The suggestion to base the mid-term review on a comprehensive set of indicators (amendment 245) is accepted in article 11.1.

B. Parliamentary amendments accepted by the Commission, but not included in the Common Position

Strategic approaches

Article 3.8

Council rejected the goal of 2003 for effective environmental legislation to be in place (amendment 288).

Article 3.10

Council rejected the suggestion to refer explicitly to cultural heritage and historic sites within the sphere of land use planning (amendment 95).

Climate change

In article 5, while accepting the requirement for regional climate modelling, Council has declined to signal that this must also address local adaptation measures (amendment 131). Council has also declined to set a date for establishing a Community-wide emissions trading scheme (amendment 290).

Nature and biodiversity

In article 6, Council considered that "incorporating" environmental considerations into the common fisheries policy (amendment 152) is not appropriate for a general action programme within the terms of article 175. In any case, article 6 of the Treaty already provides for integration of environmental considerations in other policies.

Environment and health and quality of life

In article 7, Council has considered the suggested references to the Directive on integrated pollution prevention and control (1996/61/EC) fall outside the strategic scope of an article on environment and health and quality of life (amendment 279).

Environment policy making

In article 10, Council considered the reference to cartographic and geographical information systems to be covered by the general reference to earth monitoring tools and applications (amendment 243).

C. Modifications introduced by the Council

Council has introduced a degree of definition into the text. The Commission can accept this insofar as the strategic approach is not significantly altered, and the new text does not impinge on other policy initiatives to be taken by the Commission, such as the Framework programme 2002 - 2006 for research and technological development. In so doing, some of the innovations introduced by Council respond to certain amendments submitted by Parliament - but which were not supported by the Commission and these are referred to in parentheses in the text below. In particular, a number of proposed recitals are taken up in the enacting articles.

Recitals

Recital 5 introduces a reference to the precautionary principle (amendment 260). Recital 29 on waste combines the original recitals 21 and 22 (amendments 12 and 13).

Principles and overall aims

Council has acknowledged in article 2.1 that this programme sets the framework for the Community's environment policy for the next ten years, on the basis of the requirements of integration and sustainable development and the guiding principles of Community environment policy (amendment 22), and as such constitutes the environmental contribution to the Union's sustainable development strategy (amendment 25). Council has however followed its Legal Service opinion that article 6 of the Treaty is not an appropriate legal base for this Decision. In addition, in article 2.4, Council emphasises that measures under this programme should be coherent with the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development (amendment 23).

Strategic approaches

Council provides (article 3.2, 3rd indent) for more systematic reviews of the application of environmental legislation across the Union (amendment 4), and includes in the 1st indent a reference to addressing infringements (amendment 60).

Concerning integration, Council pays particular concern to ensuring that actions in the social and economic fields are coherent with this programme (article 3.3, 2nd indent), highlights the contribution of environmental assessments (6th indent - amendment 51), and stresses that the objectives of this programme be considered in future financial perspectives reviews (7th indent). Without citing individual policy sectors, references to objectives and time limits are addressed here (amendment 45). Council stipulates the need for Commission policy initiatives to reflect environmental considerations (3rd indent - amendments 7 and 47).

In article 3.4, 1st indent, Council focuses on reform of environmentally negative subsidies, but without specifying deadlines (amendment 263). In article 3.4, 4th indent, Council provides for the integration of environmental aspects in standardisation activities (amendment 109). Council also looks to improve the environmental performance of enterprises and for the stimulation of product innovation (article 3.5, 5th indent).

Article 3.5 covers the inherent environmental concerns of an integrated policy approach (amendment 70). It also addresses concerns on voluntary agreements (amendment 265).

The concept of life cycle considerations in procurement activities is taken up in article 3.6 (amendment 78).

Council places special emphasis on promoting integration in the activities of financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (article 3.7, 3rd indent).

Thematic strategies

Council has indicated a preference for thematic strategies to take the form of a Decision, where appropriate, although such a choice will clearly depend upon the maturity and context of the subject (amendment 264). Council has incorporated into article 4 of the common position the outline structure of thematic strategies that the Commission had suggested in its Communication (amendment 2).

Climate change

Council stipulates that the Kyoto protocol should enter into force in 2002 (amendments 105 and 247), that there should be demonstrable progress in achieving the commitments under the protocol by 2005 (amendment 107) and that the Community should argue for more stringent reduction targets for the second commitment period (amendment 108). Council also provides for improved monitoring of Member States commitments under the Internal Burden Sharing Agreement (article 5.2.i.c).

Council maintains the emphasis on renewable raw materials in relation to fuels and energy sources in article 5.2.ii (amendment 9) and on low carbon fuels (amendment 248).

Council looks to Community action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from marine bunkers if no such action is agreed within the International Maritime Organisation by 2003 (article 5.2.iii.b) and for the reflection of full environmental costs in transport prices (article 5.2.iii.f) This expanded section addresses broader transport issues, in particular on efficient transport (amendment 130) and on greenhouse gas emissions reduction (amendments 106 and 284).

Council has strongly reinforced the provisions concerning climate change policy towards candidate countries, as well as developing and in transition countries, especially as regards capacity building and technology transfer (articles 5.4 and 5.5).

Nature and biodiversity

Council has defined 2010 as a date to halt biodiversity decline (article 6.1, 1st indent). Council also seeks to enhance sustainable use, production and investments in this area, a sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity, and actions on invasive alien species (article 6.2a, 3rd, 5th and 6th indents).

The section on accidents and disasters has been broadened to include marine transport (article 6.2b), and extractive industries (article 6.2d) are to be targeted to reduce their environmental impact (amendment 222).

Article 6.2e adds a reference to relevant international instruments concerning landscape protection (amendment 256).

Article 6.2f expands the reference to sustainable rural development under the common agriculture policy (amendment 50).

Council envisages (article 6.2h) greater co-ordination on forestry issues, including labelling, measures to combat trade in illegally harvested wood, and consideration of climate change effects in forestry (amendments 139 and 283).

A slightly broader reference to genetically modified organisms builds on the original Commission proposal (amendments 159 and 166).

Environment and health and quality of life

Council takes up in article 7.1 the indicative date of 2020 (amendment 180) to achieve chemical production and use that does not lead to a significant negative impact on health and the environment. Council also introduces objectives of substitution of dangerous chemicals (amendment 177) as well as a focus on the reduced impact of pesticides on human health and the environment (amendment 270).

Attention is paid to finding alternatives to animal testing in research and chemical testing procedures (article 7.2a/b). There is for chemicals a specific focus on the duty of care and risk assessment responsibilities of producers, importers and downstream users (article 7.2b), including for products (amendment 178), as well as on international chemicals management (article 7.2d).

The Council has specified that chemical substances used in very low quantities be excluded from the testing, risk assessment and risk management system; this is in line with the Commission's approach set out in the white paper on a strategy for a future chemicals policy [3].

[3] COM (2001) 88, 27.02.2001

Council also provides in article 7.2b for particular attention on substances that are persistent and bio-accumulating and toxic and that are very persistent and very bio-accumulative as well as known endocrine disrupters (amendment 165), and introduces a reference to public access to information on chemicals (amendment 184).

On pesticides, Council provides in article 7.2c for full implementation and review of the effectiveness of the applicable legal framework, (amendments 189 and 191). Concerning water, in article 7.2.e Council reinforces the connections to the water framework directive by recalling the goals of protecting surface and groundwater and promoting sustainable use (amendment 195) and the aim of ceasing discharges of priority hazardous substances (amendments 192 and 277).

Concerning air quality, article 7.2.f, the thematic strategy will address the long-term objective of no-exceedance of critical loads and levels (amendment 168), recognises the contribution to be made in respecting national emissions ceilings (amendment 162), and calls for measures on ground-level ozone and particulates (amendment 199). International considerations are emphasised under this article (amendment 200), in particular in respect of the Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting substances.

Local Agenda 21 (amendments 6, 43, 227 and 239) is taken up in article 7.2h.

Natural resources and waste

Council recalls the established target of achieving 22% of electricity production from renewable energies by 2010 (article 8.1), to which forestry clearly can contribute (amendment 153).

Council also provides for estimating materials and waste streams (article 8.2.i.a), more sustainable production and extraction methods (article 8.2.i.d) in the context of a thematic strategy on resources.

Concerning waste prevention and management, the Commission is invited to prepare a proposal in 2002 for qualitative and quantitative reduction targets covering all relevant waste, to be achieved at Community level by 2010. Other measures address product design, public awareness and indicators (article 8.2.ii) under the waste prevention approach.

Concerning waste recycling, Council has introduced in article 8.2.iii reference to producer responsibility and waste treatment as part of a thematic strategy (amendments 219 and 220).

International issues

Council has reinforced the section on international issues by raising the profile of action in the international arena (article 9). This includes increased coherence between international conventions and also addresses development co-operation (amendment 228).

Amendments 223 and 233 are editorial and are incorporated into the common position.

Environment policy making

Council takes up the idea (article 10a) of improved mechanisms for stakeholder consultation (amendment 274) while article 10c provides for ex-post evaluation (amendment 3). Council looks to strengthening the participation of NGOs in the dialogue process (article 10b) (amendment 235) and to ensuring (article 10d) that the priority areas identified in the environment action programme are a major priority for Community research programmes (amendment 67). However, this article clearly provides that environment priorities are to be addressed in public research programmes at national or international level and not only in the Community framework programme. Council has also introduced an indication of links with training and education policies, as far as Community competence allows (amendments 73, 81 and 91). The Commission is also invited to submit a proposal with a view to ensuring streamlined reporting of environmental data (article 10f). This article also provides means to upgrade information upon which policy can be developed (amendment 64).

4- CONCLUSION

As indicated above, the common position adds substantial definition to the programme. It is clear that much new material in the Programme has been taken from the Commission's Communication that accompanied the proposed decision.

The Commission had proposed a strategic programme and the common position follows this approach. The new targets introduced are already established and accepted. A general deadline for the preparation of implementing proposals is also included but the text avoids becoming a detailed work programme. The latter would not be possible in isolation from decisions on budgets and resources. The Commission believes that the common position now represents an ambitious, credible and strategic programme with sufficient defined obligations to ensure the commitment of all parties to the programme, not only at institutional level but also from stakeholders at all levels in Member States and candidate countries.

The Commission therefore gives its support to the common position, which has already been taken into account in the conclusions of the Gothenburg European Council. The Commission calls upon Parliament and Council to facilitate the early adoption of the programme to allow all concerned to commence their work.

Annex

Position of the Commission on Parliament's amendments in first reading

Amendments accepted by the Commission in full

Amendments 14, 21, 26-33, 55, 57, 74, 88, 92, 131, 136, 141, 152, 155, 158, 170, 182, 183, 194, 229, 243, 245, 287 and 289 (30 amendments).

Amendment accepted in part or in principle

Amendments 16, 20, 24, 34, 35, 37, 39, 40, 53, 54, 58, 59, 61, 62, 68, 69, 72, 75, 82, 93, 95, 96-98, 101, 104, 114, 116, 117, 120, 123, 127, 128, 133, 134, 137, 138, 140, 142-145, 148, 150, 151, 156, 157, 160, 161, 167, 169, 171-175, 179, 181, 188, 193, 204, 207, 212, 213, 215-217, 226, 230-232, 234, 236-238, 240, 241, 246, 251, 254, 257, 259, 261, 268, 276, 278, 279, 282, 288 and 290, 291, 292 (92 amendments).

Amendments rejected

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-13, 22, 23, 25, 36, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 56, 60, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 73, 78, 80, 81, 85, 90, 91, 94, 99, 100, 105, 106, 107-109, 118, 130, 132, 139, 147, 153, 159, 162, 165, 166, 168, 176, 177, 178, 180, 184, 187, 189, 191, 192, 195, 196, 198, 199, 200, 201, 203, 210, 218, 219, 220, 222, 223, 224, 227, 228, 233, 235, 239, 244, 247, 248, 252, 256, 260, 263, 264, 265, 266, 270, 274, 277, 280, 281, 283 and 284 (104 amendments).

Amendments indicated in bold are taken up, at least in part or in principle, in the common position.