New measures on pollution and adaptation a positive step

Calling today's European Parliament vote* on new rules to regulate industrial emissions "an important step towards better environmental and health protection particularly for people living and working in industrial areas", GUE/NGL MEP João Ferreira welcomed the setting of limits for a wide range of pollutants and provisions for adaptation through best available technology.

"Crucially, this report acknowledges the specifications for technological adaptation across various countries and regions, it also opens up the possibility for a normative rather than a market approach to emissions reductions and allows Member States to maintain or adopt more stringent anti-pollution measures than those laid down in this text."

"We now need complimentary measures on the modernization of production systems particularly in poorer regions, to accompany this new framework. Supporting public investment in research and development to ensure the continuous technological development is also essential.

*Final vote: 639+, 35-, 10 abstensions

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACTS:

David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12
Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 64 66 28
Sonja Giese + 32 486 94 50 21

www.guengl.eu
Gauche Unitaire Européenne / Gauche Verte Nordique
European United Left / Nordic Green Left