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Real Food News

2002

3 October

Draft European environmental liability law slammed

A draft European directive on environmental liability is so weak it is practically useless claims Friends of the Earth. The European Parliament held a public hearing in Brussels on the proposals on 3 October, which were drawn up by the European Commission.

Comprehensive laws on environmental liability are essential to make those responsible for environmental damage or destruction liable for their actions. Unfortunately the proposals drawn up by the European Commission are far from adequate because:

• They do not cover economic damage - such as the contamination of organic crops through cross-pollination with GM crops.
• They only apply to biodiversity in certain 'protected' areas, and only to certain protected species. Species protected under national and international biodiversity legislation are not fully covered. In all only 20 per cent of the EU's biodiversity, and only around 13 per cent of its land area is covered by the draft directive.
• They only cover damage to land if it causes "serious potential harm to public health as a result of soil and subsoil contamination." Damage to soil and eco-systems is completely overlooked.

"These proposals on environmental liability are completely inadequate," said Friends of the Earth's GM Campaigner Adrian Bebb. "If business pollutes the environment surely it should pay for the damage it has caused? If this legislation is passed the environment will pay the price and the taxpayers will foot the bill. And why doesn't this directive cover damage caused by GM crops? The ultimate responsibility for any harm caused by GMOs should lie with the directors of the biotech companies. That's fair on farmers, consumers, the environment and tax-payers," he added.

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