However, eight MEPs have urged the Commission to continue to support the proposals, emphasising what they see as “huge” economic and environmental benefits of the circular economy measures.
In addition, Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder has also today (November 12) come out in strong support of the circular economy proposals in response to Junker’s letter.
Dated November 7 2014, a letter from President Jean-Claude Juncker and First Vice-President Frans Timmermans sets out their plans to develop the new Commission’s first Work Programme (CWP) for 2015.
Every year the Commission sets out its priorities for the coming 12 months in a CWP, and the Juncker letter states that the CWP 2015 “will be crucial to mark a change from the past”.
And, as reported yesterday (November 12) by letsrecycle.com, appendices to the letter list policy packages which are to be reviewed by the new Commission, including proposed circular economy and air quality measures developed by the previous Commission within the past year.
The circular economy package includes proposals for Member States to recycle or reuse 70% of municipal waste by 2030 – an increase on the current 50% by 2020 target – and to ban recyclable materials such as plastics, paper, metals, glass and biodegradable waste to landfill by 2025. Landfilling of waste would also be phased out entirely under the proposals (see letsrecycle.com story).
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The letter also invites members of the Commission to examine all pending proposals in their policy areas and to “signal those which we should review together, for example because they have no realistic chance of being adopted in the near future or because the degree of ambition achievable does not match the objectives sought”.
President Junker plans to adopt the CWP 2015 on December 16 in Strasbourg, and while he admits that “this timing is ambitious” he adds that this “demonstrates our determination to generate early momentum”.
Members of the Commission are now set to work together in “thematic ad-hoc groups” of Vice Presidents and Commissioners towards the CWP. These groups will meet from next Monday (November 17).
Lib Dem MEP
Responding to the letter today (November 12), Catherine Bearder – MEP for South East England – commented on what she described as Present Juncker’s “kill list” of legislative proposals from the previous President Barroso Commission.
The MEP said: “We all want to see smarter, more efficient EU regulation but this cannot come at the expense of our environment and air quality. Juncker must recognise the huge economic opportunities of moving toward a cleaner and more resource-efficient economy.
“Europe cannot afford to fall behind in the race to develop the green technologies of the future.”
MEP response
Also responding to the plans for a policy review, eight non-UK MEPs have also written to both President Junker and the new Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries – Karmenu Vella – to highlight the “crucial and cost-cutting importance” and “strong support” for the proposed circular economy package.
After wishing President Junker and Commissioner Vella “all the best for your important work promoting sustainable development in the years ahead”, the letter goes on to state that the circular economy package “will be a key driving force for the transition to a sustainable economic growth and job creation”.
Dated November 11, the letter is signed by eight MEPs, none of whom are from the UK: Giovanni La Via, Dr Peter Liese, Matthias Groote, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Bas Eickhout, Simona Bonafe, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Sirpa Pietikainen.
The letter states: “We remain of the strong belief that it is one of the most important legislative proposals currently being discussed due to its potential for far-reaching and long-term positive effect in ensuring sustainable development for years to come.”
It concludes: “Therefore we expect the Commission to continue to support the circular economy package as a whole as well as the air policy review, and we look forward to a good-co-operation with you.”
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