Plans to clean up the scrapping of old ships and ensure the materials are
recycled in EU-approved facilities worldwide were backed by Parliament
on Thursday. The plenary did not endorse an Environment Committee
proposal for a recycling fund financed by a levy, but it did call on the
European Commission to propose plans for an incentive-based system
before the end of 2015.
The draft regulation aims to reduce the adverse effects of careless scrapping, such as
accidents, injuries or damage to human health or the environment, by
steering EU-ships towards EU-approved facilities worldwide.
The Environment Committee report, drafted by Carl Schlyter (Greens/EFA, SE) proposed
that the scheme be funded by a recycling levy to be imposed on any ship
using an EU port, in line with the "polluter pays" principle, so as to
steer these ships at the end of their lives into proper recycling
facilities.
The plenary opposed the recycling fund levy proposal by a narrow 299
votes to 292, with 21 abstentions. Instead, members adopted an amendment
calling on the European Commission to table a legislative proposal
before the end of 2015 "for an incentive-based system that would
facilitate safe and sound ship recycling".
"While the EP has voted to put an end to European ships being recklessly
scrapped in developing countries in hazardous conditions, this is
jeopardized by the failure to adopt a financial mechanism to support it.
It is very frustrating that a narrow majority succumbed to highly
misleading lobbying by the maritime sector, seeking to shirk its
responsibilities, and voted down the proposed financial mechanism that
would have made safe ship recycling competitive", said Mr Schlyter after
the vote.
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