The European Parliament adopted the recommendation for second reading by Mr David BOWE (PSE, UK) concerning integrated pollution control prevention.
Of the 57 amendments adopted by Parliament at first reading, only 13 were included, in full or in part, in the common position of the Council.
Most notable among the amendments which the report recasts are those which seek to avoid excessive burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises. The report also reintroduces an amendment which provides for the compliance by industrial installations with emission limit values based on the "best available techniques". The report deletes a provision of the common position which would have made it possible for emission limit values to be fixed by taking account of the geographical location and local environmental conditions of the installation concerned.
The recommendation also provides, in accordance with the "polluter pays" principle, for operators to bear responsibility for managing the environmental consequences of their activity during the entire life of their installations. Moreover, upon definitive cessation of activities, measures must be taken to avoid any pollution risk and return the site of operation to a satisfactory state.
Finally, the proposal allows for Member States to maintain or introduce more stringent protective measures.�