Air pollution: application of emission stages to narrow-track tractors

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 application of emission stages for narrow-track tractors.

It recommends that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure approves the Commission proposal subject to amendments.

Members approve the Commission proposal to amend Directive 2000/25/EC which would postpone for three years the obligation to comply with Stage IIIB and Stage IV requirements for tractors in categories T2, C2 and T4.1.

The report notes that the studies which preceded the drawing up of this proposal do not indicate with the requisite certainty that narrow-track tractors are capable of fulfilling, in due course, the requirements specified for Stage IV.

It is for this reason that the Members proposed that the Commission shall, by 31 December 2014, consider what technology capable of meeting Stage IV requirements and compatible with the T2, C2 and T4.1 needs is available and submit, where appropriate, proposals to the European Parliament and the Council.

The Commission should report each year to the European Parliament and Council on progress in the development of technical solutions for Stage IV compliant technology.