Timmermans appeals for time on circular economy plans

During questioning by a coalition of Green MEPs at a press conference yesterday (February 4), Mr Timmermans said that the decision to exclude proposals drawn up by former Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik in the Commission’s work programme for 2015 would not set back progress on work toward new legislation.

Uncertainty has shrouded the Commission’s plans for the future of waste legislation since the announcement in December (see letsrecycle.com story) although some details of what the Commission hopes to include in the package have emerged.

The new proposals, the Commission has said, are likely to include some measures around product design and to create a market for secondary raw materials as well as

Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Mr Timmermans said: “We are not changing the goals of what we want to reach. We are changing the instruments that we used in the waste package.

“We will look at the circular economy as a whole and how we prevent waste and reuse products that have ended their life cycle.

“I completely respect your doubts, but give me an opportunity to demonstrate that this will work.”

‘Mess’

Environmental groups have this week written to the Commissioner to ask for a detailed explanation of the decision to withdraw Dr Potocnik’s proposals, but Mr Timmermans defended the decision in the face of impassioned criticism from the Greens, stating that the Commission would have created a ‘mess’ had they followed through with the plans.

“I can understand your emotion,” he told MEPs. “I am very emotional about the circular economy as well. Give me a chance to make it work. The reason I withdrew the waste package was that I thought we would get in a mess if we had a non holistic method. We can move fast on a comprehensive approach of the circular economy issue.”

MEPs also raised concerns that the Commission might be unable to follow through with a new package of proposals in 2015, claiming that an impact assessment would have to be carried out before any new legislative measures could be put forward, but Mr Timmermans said there is “no doubt” that new proposals will be in place before the end of the year.