Protection of the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona Convention: protocol on pollution from land-based sources

OBJECTIVE: to accept, on behalf of the Community, the amendments to the protocol on protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land-based sources. CONTENT: the Community has been a contractual partner to the Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution (the so-called Barcelona Convention) since 1977 and has concluded a number of protocols within this framework with a view to helping to prevent pollution in the marine environment. Following participation by the Commission, on behalf of the Community, in negotiations relating to revision of one of these protocols (the protocol on protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land-based sources), the purpose of this proposal is to allow the Community to approve the amendments made to the revised protocol. Essentially, these amendments are designed to strengthen the mechanism for providing protection against pollution from sources and activities situated on land and the serious consequences of such pollution (dumping untreated domestic or industrial waste which contains persistent toxic substances liable to bio-accumulation). The new protocol also contains programmes and measures designed to combat pollution from certain sources and activities situated on land, which are listed in the annex to the protocol. It should be noted that the Council took a decision on the signature of the revised protocol on 22 July 1996, when the protocol was no longer available for signature. With a view to the effective achievement of the Community?s environmental objectives, it is important that the Community should accept the proposed amendments in line with the procedures set out in Article 228, paragraphs 2 et 3 of the Treaty.�