Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council decision setting up a Community framework for cooperation in the field of accidental marine pollution"(1)

(1999/C 169/07)

On 9 February 1999 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 130s(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 9 April 1999. The rapporteur was Mr Wilkinson, the co-rapporteurs Mrs zu Eulenburg and Mr Liverani.

At its 363rd plenary session (meeting of 28 April 1999) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 89 votes in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions.

1. Background

1.1. Community action in the field of accidental marine pollution has existed since a 1978 Council Resolution to set up an action programme. The aim of this programme was to support the efforts of Member States to improve their capabilities to respond to major pollution incidents at sea.

1.2. In 1981 a Community Information System was established. Its purpose was to give Member States the data necessary for dealing with pollution incidents. Its scope was extended in 1986 by including an inventory of resources available.

1.3. In 1987 a Community Task Force, managed by the Commission, was set up to help any Member State facing a marine pollution incident by the rapid secondment of experts from other Member States.

2. The Commission Proposal

2.1. The system has shown its value in both minor and major pollution incidents, but there is now a need to consolidate a simpler and more coherent and transparent framework for cooperation, by bringing the relevant Community Information Systems and Action Programme together into one act. The framework will provide a sound legal basis, while setting out criteria and financing arrangements for actions taken.

2.2. The proposal covers information exchange, training, a Community Task Force, international cooperation and pilot technical development projects. The annual budget proposed is 1 million euro, half of which will fund training and exchanges of experts.

3. General Comments

3.1. The Committee supports the proposed Council decision as a logical and helpful development of a system that is already in place as a means of better protecting the environment. It is important that work in this area should continue in the longer term.

3.2. The Committee notes that the proposals are designed to help in cases of marine pollution from all sources, and whether accidental or deliberate.

3.3. The Committee also notes that the proposals would be helpful to Member States who are party to other international agreements on marine pollution(2), in force or under negotiation.

3.4. It further notes that agreement on defining who is responsible for causing some types of pollution, to establish liability for paying under the 'polluter pays' principle, is still under discussion internationally.

4. Specific Comments

4.1. The proposed budget for the scheme is very modest, bearing in mind what costs may be saved in a single major incident by effective and speedy action.

4.2. Since marine pollution incidents may well involve third countries, it would seem wise to encourage countries which border a Member State to adopt the EU framework, at least as far as the information system is concerned.

4.3. For EU candidate countries, especially those which have coastlines, consideration should also be given to fundingtheir participation, at a limited level, in the training activities which are planned. This funding could come from the budget proposed in COM(1998) 769 final or from other EU sources.

4.4. Further, it would be valuable to keep international organizations, such as IMO, informed of progress in the hope that they may use the EU framework as a model internationally.

Brussels, 28 April 1999.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI

(1) OJ C 25, 30.1.1999, p. 20.

(2) Such as the Bonn Agreement (North Sea), Barcelona Convention (Mediterranean) and Helsinki Convention (Baltic).