Air pollution: measures to be taken against emission of gaseous pollutants from internal combustion engines

The Committee has adopted the report, calling for economic instruments (tax incentives) to be used in the fight against pollution from internal combustion engines of non-road mobile machinery (co-decision procedure, second reading). The Commission's proposal sought to introduce measures to reduce engine emissions from vehicles such as mechanical diggers, fork-lift trucks or levelling equipment (farm and forestry vehicles are covered by a different proposal). The Commission sought a two-stage progressive reduction in atmospheric pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and nitrogen monoxide by the year 2003. Parliament welcomed the proposal at first reading and approved it unamended. The changes proposed by the Council at second reading included deletion of an article on economic instruments. This article permits, but does not oblige, Member States to adopt tax incentives under certain conditions to reduce polluting emissions. The Council decided unanimously to delete this. The Commission then withdrew this point from the proposal, in order not to delay adoption of the text as a whole. The Committee believes that the initial proposal is still relevant and it has adopted amendment by its vice-chairman, Paul LANNOYE (Green, B) reintroducing the article on tax incentives. The committee also adopted several amendments concerning commitology. �