Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-07-04-Speech-1-158"
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"en.20050704.20.1-158"2
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".
Mr President, first of all I would like to thank you for your comments on thematic strategies. As Mr Bowis says, thematic strategies 6 and 7 are provided for in the Sixth Environmental Action Programme. They are supposed to be presented within three years of the programme’s adoption.
You said that I was furious with Mr Blokland. I very rarely get furious. I always stay calm, even when something is unpleasant or difficult for me. I shall try with all my power to overcome any difficulties that arise, with your help.
The contribution of the European Parliament remains very important. Parliament has participated actively in the preparation of the air strategy. With continued cooperation between Parliament and the Commission, we will be able to provide the European Union with an effective and efficient way of addressing the impact of air pollution on human health and the environment.
Mr Seeber quoted figures which are really very impressive and which supplement the figures I quoted previously.
In terms of timing, the air strategies are ready, the preparatory work is completed and the inter-service consultations are over. The Commission will now have to take its final decision. Given the scale of the health and the environmental problems caused by air pollution, I expect that decision to be reached soon.
I have heard some concern expressed that the air strategy is not ambitious enough. I fully agree that the effects of air pollution are serious and the strategy must ensure further substantial improvements. The strategy will be ambitious, but it should also be achievable. We know that environmental policies can promote competitiveness and create high-quality jobs. Interestingly, the countries that have come closest to meeting the Lisbon targets are those with the most ambitious environmental policies.
In any event, the potential impact for Europe’s competitiveness has been analysed and we are satisfied that the impact of the air strategy will be very limited. Moreover, our competitors in China, India, Korea, the United States and Japan are also taking serious action on air pollution.
Let me finish by reiterating the importance of an ambitious and forward-looking air strategy. Cleaner air will reduce the human suffering that air- related diseases cause: asthma and bronchitis, lung cancer and increased infant mortality. Air quality reduces the life expectancy of the average European by eight months. It destroys our lakes and forests and this is our overriding challenge. The air strategy has been thoroughly prepared; it is based on sound science and economics. It has gone through extensive stakeholder consultations and full impact assessment, as well as cost benefit assessment."@en1
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