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

PURPOSE : to accept the amendments to the Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land-based sources. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 1999/801/EC on accepting the amendments to the Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land-based sources (Barcelona Convention). CONTENT : the Community has been a Contracting Party to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution since 1977. It has concluded a number of Protocols within this framework which aim to reinforce the prevention of pollution in the marine environment. The Commission, on behalf of the Community , has taken part in negotiations on revising the Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land-based sources. The objective of this decision is to allow the Community to approve the amendments laid down by the revised Protocol in line with the procedures provided by the Treaty. For the most part, the amendments aim to strengthen the protection measures provided for against pollution from land-based sources and activities and to protect against the serious problems resulting therefrom (the release of untreated, insufficiently treated or inadequately disposed of domestic or industrial discharges containing substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bioaccumulation). The new Protocol includes programmes and measures which aim to combat pollution from certain land-based sources and activities. These are outlined in the annexes of the Protocol. ENTRY INTO FORCE : the Decision shall enter into force on 22.10.1999, the date of entry into force of the Protocol's amendments requiring to be published by the Council's Secretariat General when all the necessary notifications to this effect have been completed.�