Air quality: provisions for tractors placed on the market under the flexibility scheme

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report drafted by Salvatore TATARELLA (EPP, IT) on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2000/25/EC as regards the provisions for tractors placed on the market under the flexibility scheme.

It recommends that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading, under the ordinary legislative procedure, amends the Commission proposal as follows:

• one of the objectives of Directive 2000/25/EC is to maximise the benefits for the European environment and public health;
• the report highlights the fact that global financial and economic crisis can not serve as a reason to water down environmental standards. On the contrary, investments in green technologies are a motor for future growth and jobs in Europe and an important factor for health security;
• a definition of the “flexibility scheme” has been introduced: it shall mean the exemption procedure by means of which a Member State permits the placing on the market of a limited quantity of engines in accordance with the requirements laid down in the Directive. The flexibility scheme shall begin when a given stage becomes compulsory and shall have the same duration as the stage itself. Under a flexibility scheme, engines shall be approved in accordance with the requirements of the stage immediately preceding the applicable one;
• the Commission proposal provides that during the transition from Stage III A to Stage III B, the percentage of the number of engines placed on the market under the flexibility scheme should be increased from 20% to 50% of the tractor manufacturer's annual sales of tractors with engines in that category. Members, on the other hand, consider that during Stage III B, the percentage of the number of tractors that enter into service under the flexibility scheme shall be 35% of the annual quantity of tractors entered into service by the tractor manufacturer with engines in that category;

• Members propose that the Commission submit a comprehensive revision of Directive 2000/25/EC within 12 months. It is preferable for the Commission to present the comprehensive revision at its earliest convenience.