Environment : effects of public and private projects (amend. Directive 85/337/EEC)

The Committee on the Environment intends to use the system of prior authorizations for major projects in order to step up environmental protection. The committee adopted most of the amendments proposed by the rapporteur, Mr Paul LANNOYE, albeit by a very low majority on several occasions. It wishes to: - extend the scope of the directive to national defence projects and projects approved by specific national acts of parliament; - increase the list of projects subject to compulsory assessment to manufacturers of lubricants, power stations with a heat output of 100 megawatts or more, installations manufacturing hydrocarbons at sea, large-scale deforestation projects and certain intensive livestock holdings; - have impact studies carried out by independent experts; - improve consultation with citizens on the sites for these projects and introduce efficient monitoring controls once projects have been implemented.�