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03 Oct 2002
A draft European directive on environmental liability is so weak it is practically useless, Friends of the Earth said today. The European Parliament is holding a 'public hearing' in Brussels on the proposals today (Thursday), 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.
They do not cover economic damage - such as the contamination of organic
crops through cross-pollination with GM crops - is also completely overlooked
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 around 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 eco-systems is completely overlooked.
The draft directive is also riddled with loopholes and caveats which
weaken it further. These include:
Friends of the Earth’s GM campaigner Adrian Bebb said:
“These proposals on environmental liability are completely
inadequate. 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 tax-payers will foot the bill.
"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.”
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
