Agenda Milieuraad: Life+, klimaat, gen-gewassen, luchtkwaliteit (en)

The last Environment Council under the United Kingdom's Presidency will take place on 2 December in Brussels. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas i will represent the Commission. The Council agenda features a partial political agreement on LIFE+, the new financial instrument for the Environment. Council conclusions are expected on the reduction of climate change impact of aviation and on the EU's position for the February International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM). The Council will have policy debates on the proposed Thematic Strategy on Air Quality and on next steps on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A vote is expected on the approval of a GM maize known as MON863xMON810 for import and processing in the EU. Over lunch, ministers will discuss the recent report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on the state of Europe's environment, and the preparations for the 14^th session of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD). A joint press conference by the President, Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom, and Commissioner Dimas is foreseen at the end of the meeting.

LIFE+

The Presidency aims to achieve a partial political agreement on the Commission's proposal from last year (IP/04/1152) on a new financial support programme for environmental policy, LIFE+. This programme would replace existing programmes such as Forest Focus, NGO's support, Urban and LIFE. Other financial instruments such as the structural funds and the competitiveness and innovation programme (CIP) shall provide for complementary funding. A new programming approach will be applied: overall multi-annual strategic programmes will be drawn up - and member states would appoint national agencies to implement national annual work programmes.

Pending the final agreement on the financial perspectives package for 2007-2013, a partial agreement would settle those elements related to the scope and programming approach of the Regulation. A number of member states support the Presidency's compromise. However, some outstanding issues remain, namely: the criteria for allocation of funds, as part of the programming approach, and the percentage of LIFE+ funding available to the Commission and Member States. Other issues will also need to be solved, including the question of funding for nature/biodiversity projects.

Aviation and climate change

Ministers will discuss Council Conclusions on the reduction of the climate change impact of aviation. This is the follow-up to the Commission's Communication on the issue from 27 September (IP/05/1192). The Presidency's draft conclusions support the approach of the Commission, notably the proposal to include the aviation sector in the EU's emissions trading system, It also supports the setting-up of a working group by the Commission to consider concrete ways for doing so.

GMOs

Maize MON863XMON810

The Council will vote on a proposal from the Commission to authorise the GM maize known as MON863XMON810 for import and processing in the EU. The maize is the first hybrid product to be proposed for authorisation under the current EU legislation on GMOs. It is a combination of two products which have already been authorised - maize MON863, which the Commission authorised on 8 August 2005 for import and processing as animal feed for a period of ten years, and maize MON810, which has been authorised since 1998. MON 863xMON810 has been genetically modified to become resistant to corn rootworm and to certain other pests.

The maize was originally assessed by the German authorities, who concluded that there was no evidence for risks. EFSA confirmed this assessment. Consequently the Commission proposed to authorise the placing on the European market of MON863/MON810 for import and processing. The Regulatory Committee composed of member states representatives did not reach a qualified majority to produce an opinion. Therefore, the proposal was referred to Council, who must now vote on it. The Council can either adopt or reject the decision with a qualified majority. If no qualified majority is reached, the file will come back to the Commission for final adoption.

Next steps on GMOs

Following the decision of the October Environment Council, ministers will have a policy debate on the future of GMO policy. Ministers are invited to address one question from the Presidency: `Which aspects of policy on GM crops and food merit further in-depth analysis and political discussion, such as the potential risks and benefits of GM technology (including the regulatory regime and the decision-making process for individual GMOs) and the need for further research?'

The Commission will present an information note describing the existing legal framework, and setting out its views on the issue raised. As regards future steps, it notably refers to upcoming reports on the implementation and operation of Directive 2001/18 and Regulation 1829/2003 and the mid-term review of the Strategy for Europe on Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

Air quality

The Council will hold a public debate on the Commission's recent Thematic Strategy on Air Quality, accompanied by a proposal for a revised Air Quality Framework Directive (IP/05/1170). The Strategy sets out the Commission's priorities for `Clean Air for Europe' until 2020. It is based on thorough analyses of current policies, identifies remaining health and environment problems, establishes interim objectives until 2020 and sets out measures to meet them.

Extensive consultation and impact assessments have been carried out by the Commission in its preparation of the Strategy.

The proposal for a revised air quality directive is part of the strategy and aims to streamline and simplify existing air quality legislation, while introducing for the first time obligations for very small particles, known as PM2.5.

The debate will be structured around two questions:

1: Are ministers content to accept objectives up to 2020 on the basis of the Commission's Thematic Strategy in advance of measures under consideration by the Commission?

2: Does the Directive adequately balance flexibility for MS in implementation with the aim of improving public health in a cost-effective manner, for example through the regulation of fine particles?

International Conference on Chemicals Management

Council Conclusions are to be adopted on the EU's position for the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), which will take place from 4 to 6 February 2006 in Dubai. Through the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), an international policy framework will be agreed in order to deliver the 2020 target agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development of use and production of chemicals in ways that minimise the adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Other business

Commissioner Dimas will update ministers on the state of play on the preparations of the Biodiversity Strategy and other biodiversity initiatives. The Presidency will report back from the first informal meeting of member states on the Commission's Nanotechnology Action Plan, and on a recent conference on Green Public Procurement. The Commission has worked closely with the Presidency on the issue of Green Public Procurement, and is looking forward to continuing this cooperation with the Austrian Presidency.

Further OB points include a point on `Urgent action for the Baltic Sea', where Commissioner Dimas will update Ministers on the recently adopted strategy on the Marine Environment (IP/05/1335), on the Import of wild birds in Europe and finally a point on `Clean, Clever and Competitive', linked to the `Environmental technologies forum' organised by the Presidency on Thursday evening.