Dutch Presidency promises inter-institutional cooperation on REACH
The Dutch State Secretary for the Environment, Pieter Van Geel, has promised close cooperation with the European Parliament, notably on preparatory work for the proposed REACH package for the registration of chemicals in the EU. Mr Van Geel was addressing the Parliament's Environment Committee on 20 September, outlining his government's priorities during its six month presidency of the EU. He spoke of the need to balance economic competitiveness with environmental and consumer health concerns, a theme that is at the centre of disagreements between industrial interests and health and environmental groups over the REACH proposals. 'We must avoid conflict re-emerging between economic and environmental interests, especially on REACH,' said Mr Van Geel. The minister added that he felt the Commission's proposals were balanced, and expressed his confidence that a solution could be found that is both competitive and environmentally sound. MEPs told the minister that they want access to Council working documents on the REACH package, and Mr Van Geel appeared to respond positively to the demand. He said that it is in nobody's interest for such a complex issue to be made even more so because of a lack of information, adding that REACH is certainly one of the most complex issues of the EU's agenda. The Environment Committee members also asked for the Council's cooperation in evaluating the various impact assessments of REACH, so that the two institutions could jointly estimate the real cost of the legislation. However, Italian MEP Guido Sacconi, the Committee's rapporteur on REACH, reminded all present that ultimate responsibility for a decision rests with politicians, not computer generated assessments. Mr Van Geel highlighted the positive impact that the proposals would have by tidying up around 30 existing EU directives. He accepted, however, that many small and medium sized enterprises in the chemicals sector are worried about the impact of REACH, and pledged further efforts to take account of their needs. The minister concluded by telling MEPs that he hopes the first reading by Parliament and Council would be completed during the UK Presidency in the second half of 2005.
Countries
Netherlands