In the guise of cutting red tape and curbing administrative costs the Environment Committee of the EU Parliament has just last month passed amendments to European Directive [COM(2007) 843 final]that seriously affect our ability to monitor and inspect

Chimney emissions
Groundwater pollution
Soil pollution
Heavy metal emissions

The industry lobby wants to limit access to the legal complaint procedure by non governmental organisations promoting environmental protection, leaving an individual to face them alone!
The industry has gained permission for inspections every two years instead of every year.
Industry wanted derogations from limit values..it has got them!
Soil monitoring every 10 years, groundwater, every 5….!Heavy metals once a year
You won’t be informed until four months after a breach has occurred etc.etc.
I was really shocked to read the zero option amendments and see the pages of crossed out rules from the 2007 directive.It was clear that industry had prepared a morning ambush of the committee,and used procedural technicalities to curb opposition.It betrayed a clear wish to remove any checks related to public health and safety in the competitive drive down to the standards of China and America..two countries whose environmental standards in this area are truly appalling.This area looks technical,but is really an important battleground for our children’s well-being.