A considerable step forward on environmental issues was reached on June 29th when MEPs and ministers reached a deal on a package of measures to reduce pollution from car emissions as from the year 2000. Agreement was reached under the conciliation procedure just before the end of the British Presidency.
The agreement also covered measures to improve fuel quality. And with Europe's oil refiners complaining that investment of £30 billion could be required to meet the new requirements for reduction in sulphur, success in reaching agreement on binding legislation, in the face of considerable opposition, should not be underestimated.
Parliament's delegation, for its part, was prepared to accept slightly higher limits than those voted by MEPs at second reading, in exchange for the binding nature of the legislation. Council's original position was only to accept "indicative" figures or recommended guidelines. Now new motor vehicles will have to meet the exhaust emission limits as from January 1st, 2000, in order to be sold in the EU. The cars will also be obliged to carry anti-pollution devices effective for five years.
Member states will also be allowed to introduce tax incentives to encourage manufacturers to comply with the regulations at an earlier date and the Commission will propose further, tougher, emission limits for the post2005 era. Another piece of legislation applying similar limits to vans and other light vehicles was approved at the same time.