Seven strategies to form backbone of EU environment programme

摘要

The European Commission's work programme for 2005 was published at the end of January amidst continuing conflict over whether environmental protection is being downgraded in importance. Seven "thematic strategies" due this year will provide probably the most crucial tests of where environmental policy stands in the new Commission. Business groups and some Member States, including the UK, have been demanding with increasing vigour that EU policy should focus more on competitiveness and deregulation. The theme has been taken up by several of the new Commissioners since the autumn, to the growing consternation of environmental organisations.