European ministers in debate over environmental legislation

Ministers at the European Union (EU) are set to discuss the proposed introduction of legislation designed to curb the emissions rates of pollutants that cause acid rain and dust.

According to European Voice, the EU's environment ministers are set to go head to head with the European Parliament over the plans to bring in a framework for cutting industrial pollution.

The news provider revealed that the parliament would like to implement flexible deadlines for national governments to meet the new targets, which could see some delaying the introduction of greater controls on industrial emissions until 2020.

One of the ministers objecting to the delay in introducing the legislation is German Liberal MEP Holger Krahmer.

He told the publication that avoiding the controls would mean that the industry is not doing enough to comply with EU air quality standards and stated that countries which take a tough line on environmental issues will perform better economically.

However, figures from European industry argue that steps are being taken to cut emissions.

Data from the European Environment Agency shows that sulphur emissions - one of the causes of acid rain - across member states fell by 70 per cent between 1990 and 2004.

Posted by Lauren Steadman