Legislative and administrative simplification: Report by the group of independent experts known as MOLITOR group

The Committee adopted the draft opinion by its Chairman Mr Ken COLLINS (UK, PES) on a Commission report of the group of independent experts on legislative and administrative simplifications (Molitor group) (COM(95)0288). The Committee takes the view that this report to the environment is fundamentally wrong, since, as a result, the environment will inevitably deteriorate. Laying down general objectives, as an overriding principle, is not a wrong basis; but practice has shown that the Member States fail to follow this up. Moves towards ensuring a viable environment will therefore be completely wrecked. The Committee feels that the MOLITOR report is characterized by the overriding consideration given to business interests, thus forcing the environment completely into the background. The Committee does find several views expressed in the report that give it cause for serious concern and emphasizes one again, that there can be no question of lowering environmental, public health or consumer protection standards.