By Abbas Nazil
EU environment ministers have reached a consensus to impose strict controls on the maritime transport of plastic pellets.
This decision is aimed at curbing microplastic pollution and strengthening environmental safeguards across EU waters.
The decision follows a high-profile incident a year ago, where approximately 26 tonnes of plastic pellets spilled into the ocean and washed up on Spanish beaches, causing an environmental emergency.
The proposed measures aim to enforce minimum standards and monitoring for shippers operating within EU waters, forming part of the bloc’s larger goal of reducing microplastic pollution by 30% before 2030.
The agreement, forged during a summit in Brussels, marks a significant step towards extending regulations to include shipping, a sector often exempt from such environmental mandates.
This new direction places EU governments on a collision course with both the European Parliament and the European Commission, as disagreements persist about how to balance environmental objectives with global shipping practices.
The legislation was initially proposed by the European Commission in October 2023 as part of its broader strategy to address microplastic pollution.
However, just months later, the spillage of plastic pellets in the Spanish region of Galicia underscored the urgency of expanding the regulation’s scope.
A ship flying a flag of convenience lost multiple containers in heavy weather, highlighting the vulnerabilities of maritime transport in managing such hazardous materials.
Spain, which bore the brunt of the environmental fallout, has been a vocal advocate for including shipping in the new rules.
Sara Aagesen, Spain’s ecology minister, emphasized the global implications of the regulation, stating that it would signal Spain’s commitment to stricter international shipping standards within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency overseeing global maritime activities.
Spain has indicated its willingness to compromise on a longer transitional period, suggesting the 24-month timeline could be extended to three years for the maritime sector if needed.
Under the proposed legislation, serious or repeated breaches of safe transport and reporting requirements would incur penalties, with fines set at a minimum of 3% of a company’s EU turnover.
Member states would retain the authority to initiate criminal proceedings in cases where health or environmental risks are deemed severe.
Despite broad support for the measures, opposition remains, particularly among maritime nations such as Greece, Cyprus, and Malta.
These countries argue that extending the regulation to international shipping is premature and lacks a comprehensive impact assessment. Citing European case law, they assert that the proposal contravenes principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, advocating instead for a global agreement through the IMO.
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Greece, backed by Cyprus and Malta, issued a formal statement criticizing the unilateral approach and suggesting it might undermine ongoing international negotiations.
Latvia echoed these concerns, expressing doubts about the proposal’s efficacy and the potential implications for its shipping industry.
The Baltic state highlighted the need for further analysis to ensure the legislation aligns with broader EU objectives while maintaining competitiveness in global markets.
Notably, the agreement includes a review clause requiring the European Commission to assess other significant sources of microplastic pollution, such as tyres and paints.
These sources are not currently addressed under the proposed legislation but are seen as critical to achieving the EU’s overarching reduction target.
Intentional microplastic use in products like cosmetics, toothpaste, and artificial sports pitches has already been tackled under separate regulations.
The intergovernmental consensus was achieved under the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, with Hungary’s environment minister, Anikó Raisz, playing a pivotal role in securing the deal.
Raisz, despite facing criticism throughout Hungary’s controversial six-month presidency, was lauded for her diplomatic efforts. She expressed hope that the agreement would provide a solid foundation for Poland, the incoming EU Council presidency, to initiate negotiations with the European Parliament.
The European Parliament has already backed the extension of regulations to maritime transport, but the European Commission remains skeptical.
Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall cautioned against measures that might harm the competitiveness of European industries.
Speaking to ministers, she argued that extending the rules to shipping could prove impractical, given the international nature of the sector.
Roswall urged member states to consider alternative approaches that balance environmental ambitions with economic realities.
The scale of the problem is immense. In 2019 alone, the Commission estimated that between 52,000 and 184,000 tonnes of plastic pellets were lost across Europe.
By comparison, the 26-tonne spillage in Galicia last year was sufficient to trigger an environmental crisis, illustrating the severe consequences of such incidents on local ecosystems.
As negotiations continue, the EU faces a delicate balancing act. While the agreement signals a strong commitment to combating microplastic pollution, the path to finalizing the legislation remains fraught with challenges.
The next phase of discussions, set to begin under the Polish presidency in 2025, will determine whether the EU can reconcile differing perspectives and implement a cohesive strategy to safeguard its waters from further environmental degradation.
Source: EURO NEWS
