51998AP0075

A4-0075/98

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action 1999-2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health (COM(97)0266 - C4-0276/97 - 97/0153(COD))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 7a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

7a. Whereas combating these diseases should be a focal point of European health policy in the framework of a comprehensive programme after the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 7b (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

7b. Whereas this programme should serve as the basis for preparing this focal point;

(Amendment 3)

Article 1(3)(1)

>Original text>

1. Actions on improvement of information on pollution-related diseases;

>Text following EP vote>

1.

Actions on improvement of information on pollution-related diseases and a clear definition of the many diseases of this kind;

(Amendment 4)

Article 1(3)(3)

>Original text>

3. Respiratory diseases and allergies.

>Text following EP vote>

3. Pollution-related diseases and allergies.

(Amendment 5)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. The financial framework for the implementation of the programme for the year 1999 shall be ECU 1.3 million, in keeping with the current financial perspectives. The financial framework for the final four years of the programme (2000-2003) shall be determined in detail after the establishment of the future financial perspectives.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

The indicative financial framework for the implementation of the programme for the years 1999-2003 shall be ECU 14 million.

(Amendment 6)

Article 4

>Original text>

The Commission shall ensure that there is consistency and complementarity between the Community actions to be implemented under this programme and those implemented under other relevant Community programmes and actions.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall

take the necessary measures to ensure that there is consistency and complementarity between the Community actions to be implemented under this programme and those implemented under other relevant Community programmes and actions. It shall give notification of the measures no later than six months after the adoption of this Decision.

(Amendment 7)

Annex (I)(1)

>Original text>

1. Establishing priorities for the identification of those diseases in which specific pollutants are thought to play a role; comparing their prevalence and /or incidence and their relation to data on environmental factors in the different parts of the European Community; examining the data quality and identifying where data are lacking; analysing and reviewing data currently available on the toxicology of these pollutants, and identifying gaps in knowledge; comparing these data, including methods of collections, definitions and criteria used, as well as the way in which the information is used in analyses, in determining the actions taken and in informing the public.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

Establishing priorities for the identification of those diseases in which specific pollutants are thought to play a role; comparing their prevalence and /or incidence and their relation to data on environmental factors in the different parts of the European Community; examining the data quality and identifying where data are lacking; analysing and reviewing data currently available on the toxicology of these pollutants, and identifying gaps in knowledge, particularly with regard to long-term effects and possible synergies between pollutants; comparing these data, including methods of collection, definitions and criteria used, as well as the way in which the information is used in analyses, in determining the actions taken and in informing the public.

(Amendment 13)

Annex (I)(2a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

2a. Contributing to the realisation of Community-wide coordinated epidemiological studiesand supporting the setting up at Member State level of a registration system for pollution-related health complaints, designed to increase knowledge of the specific impact of certain pollutants.

(Amendment 9)

Annex (II)(3)

>Original text>

3. Supporting actions aimed at achieving better public understanding of risks, their assessment and management; promoting work on the public perceptions of pollution-related risks to health throughout the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

Supporting actions aimed at achieving better public understanding of risks, their assessment and management; promoting knowledge of behaviour patterns, ways of life and eating habits that could reduce the health risks caused by various types of pollution.

(Amendment 10)

Annex (II)(4)

>Original text>

4. Promoting actions and exchanges of information on the methods of increasing the level of knowledge of the general public and opinion-formers about the assessment of pollution-related risks to health.

>Text following EP vote>

4.

Promoting actions and exchanges of information aimed at improving the level of knowledge of the general public about the impact of the various different policies on pollution and health.

(Amendment 11)

Annex (III), title

>Original text>

III. RESPIRATORY DISEASES AND ALLERGIES

>Text following EP vote>

III. POLLUTION-RELATED DISEASES AND ALLERGIES

(Amendment 12)

Annex (III)(5)

>Original text>

5. Contributing to the provision of information to the general public and to specific groups on these diseases and the agents that play a role in them; supporting the development of ways to reinforce and link information campaigns; contributing to the efforts of self-help or support groups active in the field of respiratory diseases and allergies.

>Text following EP vote>

5.

Contributing to the provision of information to the general public and to specific groups on these diseases and the agents that play a role in them; supporting the development of ways to reinforce and link information campaigns; contributing to the efforts of self-help or support groups active in the field of pollution-related diseases and allergies.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action 1999-2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health (COM(97)0266 - C4-0276/97 - 97/0153(COD))(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council, COM(97)0266 - 97/0153(COD) ((OJ C 214, 16.7.1997, p. 7.)),

- having regard to Articles 189b(2) and 129 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted its proposal (C4-0276/97),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0075/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty;

4. Should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament, calls on the Council to notify Parliament and requests that the conciliation procedure be initiated;

5. Points out that the Commission is required to submit to Parliament any modification it may intend to make to its proposal as amended by Parliament;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.