Control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances. Seveso II

While approving the common position of the Council, the rapporteur, Mr BOWE (PSE, UK), tabled several amendments aimed at strengthening the Directive. He opposed the granting of exemptions and the attempt to restrict the scope of the text in question. As regards excluding military establishments, installations and storage sites from the scope of the Directive, he called for this matter to be looked at again in greater detail and was of the opinion that temporary interim storage sites and the discharge of waste should be included in the scope of the Directive. Finally, the rapporteur insisted that the public should be kept fully and clearly informed. Commissioner Bjerregaard expressed her agreement with the following objectives: increasing safety in the interests of the citizen and for the benefit of the environment. She agreed with Amendments Nos 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 25, 27, 33, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44 and 45 and partly supported Amendments Nos 2, 29, 30 and 32. However, she was opposed to Amendments Nos 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14 to 24, 26, 28, 31, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41 and 43. As regards including military installations and waste discharge in the scope of the directive the Commissioner recalled that the former did not fall within the competence of the European Union, while the Commission was presently drawing up a specific proposal on the latter.