Energy: petroleum products, security of supply

MEPs rejected the report by Mr Hans KARLSSON (PES, S) on the security of supply for petroleum products. The report was rejected and was sent back tot he committee responsible. MEPs objected strongly to the ideas of giving discretionary power to the Commission and of increasing minimum stocks from a strategic reserve of 60 days, and to do this by 1 January 2007. The rejection of the report with regard to petroleum products implies the application of article 68 of the internal rules of the Parliament. As a result, the European Commission is invited to put forward a new proposal or to withdraw its current proposal. MEPs did not support changes in this field as there is existing legislation that governs the stocks of petroleum products. The idea of increasing strategic oil and gas stocks form 90 to 120 days was opposed because of the cost.�