Environment: assessment of effects of certain plans and programmes

In approving the report drafted by Mrs Inger SCHÖRLING (Greens,EFA, S), the European Parliament has adopted the Council common position for adopting a directive on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. The amendments made to this text focus mainly on widening the scope of the Directive by not limiting it to plans and programmes which set the framework for future development consent of projects. In addition, the European Parliament also points out that the Member States shall be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the environmental measures contained in the plans and programmes to which this Directive relates and shall establish appropriate monitoring systems with a view to ensuring and assessing the effectiveness of environmental impact corrective measures. Member States shall also ensure that appropriate measures are taken in order to guarantee that environmental reports are of sufficient quality to meet the minimum requirements of the Directive and to prevent decisions being taken on the basis of an environmental report which does not comply with these requirements.�