This report was already adopted in the Committee on 25 April 1994, but at
the EP sitting of 2 May 1994, the report was referred back to the Committee,
at the request of the Committee on Agriculture and of the EPP Group. 40
amendments had been tabled by the rapporteur and other members, in addition
to the 45 already contained in the report. The purpose of the amendments
tabled by the rapporteur is to ensure the efficient use of raw materials,
water and energy in industrial process within the Community, so as to
achieve a high level of protection for the environment as a whole.
The amendments carried will bring Commission and Member States under
pressure to accept the EP's opinion now", Mr. BOWE said. In amendment 1, the
rapporteur calls for a pollution emissions register for specific plants and
plant categories, which would help to adress the worldwide dissemination of
limit values set and techniques used within the EU, and support the Member
States in efficient implementation of the Directive. Member States shall
ensure that no existing installation shall be operated later than 30 June
2005, without a permit issued in accordance with this Directive, unless this
is stated ontherwise in specific EU legislation. Where environmental quality
standards or, where they do not exist, relevant guidelines already
recommended by the WHO are being breached, existing installations shall be
given priority in undergoing this licensing procedure. But the rapporteur
feels that until the procedure for issuing permits is completed, Member
States may apply economic instruments as appropriate. The Committee also
adopted the rapporteur's amendment nr. 64 on emission limit values: -
Emission limit values shall be set by EU legislation based on BAT with the
aim of ensuring that environmental quality standards are not breached. Where
an environmental quality standard requires stricter conditions than by the
use of best available techniques, additional measures shall be required in
the permit. And in amendment no 16: - Member States may take the necessary
legislative proposals to ensure charges are imposed on those emissions of
pollutants from existing plants which would not have occurred if BAT had
been set. They also may fix charges for emissions on their potential for
pollution, and in particular taking into account their toxicity, persistence
and accumulation., provided that they at least meet any maximum charge that
may be established by the Council. Mr. BOWE also saw his amendment 21
carried, pointing out that this directive shall not prevent any Member State
from maintaining or introducing more stringent protective measures
compatible with EU legislation. Member States may in particular define areas
which are particularly polluted or which should be specially protected and
forbid the construction of certain categories of installations or make their
operation subject to the requirement to use the best available techniques.