Eleven member states have urged the European Commission to stand by the air quality and circular economy policy packages tabled by its predecessor.

Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and the six Commission vice-presidents will meet on Tuesday to draft their work programme and priorities.

Ministers from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, Cyprus and Luxembourg urged the commissioners to “keep viewing the circular economy and the clean air policy as high priorities for the coming years”, in a letter sent on Monday and seen by ENDS.

Five other member states were “supportive of the substance” of the letter but were unable to sign it for procedural reasons as it was pulled together at short notice, according to one diplomat involved in the initiative.

The ministers emphasised the economic benefits of the two sets of proposals, which could be withdrawn or amended by the Juncker Commission.

The circular economy package could contribute to the EU’s “jobs and growth agenda”, while “air pollution remains a major economic and social burden to European citizens” and cutting air pollution can be “a source of major savings, namely by avoiding increased health care costs and loss in productivity”.

“European legislation is crucial for the effectiveness of air policy – being a trans-boundary issue – but it also constitutes a necessity to safeguard a European level playing field,” the ministers said.

In line with Mr Juncker’s new, more hierarchical Commission structure, most commissioners – including environment commissioner Karmenu Vella – have been invited to contribute their views already but will not be party to the meeting where the programme is drafted.

They will be allowed to comment again ahead of the programme’s finalisation and publication on 16 or 17 December, ENDS understands.

Industry groups have called for the circular economy to be kept but are less supportive of the air quality proposals.

Source: endseurope.eu