Environmental Council: The results of the EU Environment Ministers Council on March 25th
A summary of the various topics and their outcomes:
Waste Framework Directive Revision: Ministers debated the European Commission's proposal to revise the Waste Framework Directive, particularly focusing on the textile and food sectors. The aim is to reduce environmental impacts associated with textile and food waste generation and management. The compromise however went less in favor of this law due to the new adjustments.
Reducing Microplastic Solutions: Ministers discussed the Commission's proposal to prevent plastic pellet losses to the environment, aiming to reduce microplastic pollution. The proposal includes measures that would prevent plastic pellet losses and establish best handling practices
EU 2040 Climate Target: Ministers exchanged views on the Commission's communication regarding the EU's 2040 climate target, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050.
Other Businesses: Ministers formally adopted the revision of the regulation on shipments of waste. Discussions focused on water resilience, with emphasis on the transboundary impacts of climate change on water resilience across Europe.
Austria’s AOB on EU Seed Regulation: Austria’s AOB emphasized the importance of small farmers and farmers' networks for sustainable EU seed regulation by drawing attention to crop diversity used by farmers, highlighting the importance of regional varieties, and the transfer of plant reproductive material for the purpose of conservation. The country also highlighted the importance that the proposed exceptions do not create parallel markets, how the requirements for vegetatively propagated material for fruit and wine are not very practical, how small- and medium-sized enterprises should not be unduly burdened by the planed tightening of inspection and documentation obligations, and finally, national, and regional particularities need be taken into account when proposals are implemented. (Author: Liam McCarthy)
The next Environmental Council meeting will take place on June 17th, 2024.