Accidental or deliberate marine pollution: hydrocarbons or harmful substances, community framework for cooperation

The European Parliament has voted to endorse a conciliation agreement reached with Council on a EUR 7 million programme to tackle maritime pollution that will run from 2000 to 2006. The final agreement drafted by Mrs Patricia McKENNA (Greens/EFA, Ire) takes up several of Parliament's concerns such as the 'polluter pays' principle and a definition of harmful substances that is brought in line with a similar definition in the Water Framework Directive. Local environment protection organisations are also to be involved in the programmes. (Refer back to the previous document).�