Environment: assessment of effects of certain plans and programmes

The Committee adopted, with amendments, a report by Mr Per GAHRTON (Greens, Sw) on the Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on the environmental impact of certain development plans and programmes. At present, under Community law, an Environmental Impact Assessment must be carried out before major individual construction projects are authorized. However, there is currently no assessment of the background plans and programmes (adopted at municipal, regional or national level) which set the framework within which individual projects are undertaken. This directive is intended to plug that gap. It proposes the establishment of a Strategic Environmental Assessment for development plans and programmes.�