Maritime pollution, Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona Convention: dumping from ships and aircraft

OBJECTIVE: to accept, on behalf of the Community, the amendments to the Barcelona Convention and the protocol for the prevention of pollution by dumping from ships and aircraft. 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 the prevention of pollution by dumping from ships and aircraft), the purpose of this proposal is to allow the Community to approve the amendments made both to the Convention and the Protocol. Essentially, the amendments aim to protect the environment, contribute to sustainable development of the Mediterranean Sea and strengthen the biodiversity of the region. The aim of the new protocol is to prevent, reduce and, as far as possible, eliminate marine pollution caused by dumping from ships and aircraft. 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 and 3 of the Treaty. �