CELEX: 51990PC0085
Language: en
Date: 1990-03-27
Title: AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE AMENDING, IN RESPECT OF CHROMIUM, DIRECTIVE 86/278/EEC ON THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IN PARTICULAR OF SOIL, WHEN SEWAGE SLUDGE IS USED IN AGRICULTURE

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                       C0MC90) 85 final
                                       Brussels, 2 7 March 1990
                  Amendments to the Proposal for a
                          COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
   amending, in respect of chromium, Directive 86/278/EEC on the
    protection of the environment, and in particular of soil,
             when sewage sludge is used in agriculture
          (presented by the Commission in accordance with
                 Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty)
 ---pagebreak---                               Explanatory Memorandum
On 26 May 1989, the European Parliament examined the proposal of the Commission
for a Council Directive amending, in respect of chromium, Directive 86/278/EEC on the
protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is
used in agriculture. The Parliament adopted the report established by the Commission
on Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection, including amendments to
the text of the Commission.
The amendments aim at setting slightly stricter limit values for chromium than those
proposed by the Commission and similar to values already applied by most Member
States.
The Commission has followed the invitation by the Parliament to amend its proposal
and has according to Article 149, paragraph 3 of the EEC Treaty, integrated three
amendments into a modified proposal.
Indeed, the Commission has recognized in the explanatory memorandum of its
proposal, that the proposed values were the maximum which could be allowed and
should in no case be exceeded. Since it is the objective of the directive to ensure safe
use of sewage sludge in agriculture, the Commission considers it justified to follow the
Parliaments opinion.
                                                                                         Z
 ---pagebreak---      AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE AMENDING. IN RESPECT OF
CHROMIUM, DIRECTIVE 86/278/EEC ON THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT. AND
      IN PARTICULAR OF SOIL. WHEN SEWAGE SLUDGE IS USED IN AGRICULTURE
                      (submitted by the Commission to the Council
                   in accordance with Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty)
Text of the original proposal                  Amended proposal
                                    Preamble and recitals
                                         unchanged
                                           Article 1
Annex I to Directive 86/278/EEC is
hereby amended as follows :
1)    In Annex I A,                             1)   In Annex I A,
      the dash in the last line of the               the dash in the last line of the
      second column of the table is                  second column of the table is
      replaced by'100 to 200'                        replaced by '100 to 150'
      Footnote (3) to the table is                   Footnote (3) to the table is
      deleted                                        deleted
2)    In Annex IB,                              2)   In Annex IB,
      the dash in the last line of the               the dash in the last line of the
      second column of the table is                  second column of the table is
       replaced by" 1000to 1750*                     replaced by '1000 to 1500'
       Footnote (1) to the table is                  Footnote (1) to the table is
      deleted                                        deleted
3)     In Annex I C,                            3)   In Annex I C,
      the dash in the last line of the               the dash in the last line of the
      second column of the table is                  second column of the table is
       replaced by'4.5*                              replaced by '3'
       Footnote (2) to the table is                  Footnote (2) to the table is
      deleted.                                       deleted.
                                Articles 2 and 3 unchanged
                                                                                      I
 ---pagebreak---  ANNEX to the amended proposal for a Council Directive amending, in respect of
    Chromium, directive 86/278/EEC on the protection of the environment, and in
             particular of soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture
          (The statement is not amended following the amended proposal)
             COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT
I.     What is the main reason for introducing the measure ?
       Limitation of chromium in agricultural soils and sludge from municipal
       waste water treatment plants in application of Directive 86/278/EEC
II.    Features of the businesses in question. In particular :
       (a) Are there many SM Es?
            No, only agricultural enterprises concerned
       (b) Are they concentrated in regions which are :
            i.  eligible for regional aid in the Member States ?
                No.
            ii. eligible under the ERDF?
                No.
III.   What direct obligations does this measure impose on businesses ?
       None
IV.    What indirect obligations are local authorities likely to impose on
       businesses ?
       Limitation of chromium discharges into waste water. This is also covered by
       a proposal for a Council Directive transmitted by the Commission
       (COM(85)733 final)
V.     Are there any special measures in respect of SMEs ? Please specify.
       No.
VI.    What is the likely effect on :
       (a) the competitiveness of businesses ?
            None
       (b) employment?
            None
VII.   Have both sides of industry been consulted ?
       Please indicate their opinions.
       No
                                                                                   A
 ---pagebreak---                                                                      ISSN 0254-1475
                                                               COM(90) 85 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                          03 15
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-109-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-77-58288-X
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