By Matt Williams - 28th February 2008
Issues such as the price of water must be addressed properly if the commission’s water framework directive is to be implemented successfully, say MEPs.
“If we do not act now, with the right prices and mainstreaming of EU policies, we will run into serious problems, "Austrian deputy Richard Seeber, member of the parliament’s environment committee, at a European Voice conference on Thursday.
"The water framework directive will have to establish the correct pricing. If we wait until the prices are right, then it will be too late.”
Peter Gammeltoft, head of the water protection unit in the European commission, agreed that establishing fair water pricing was crucial.
“It is important that there is not just pricing but that there is correct pricing,” he said.
“It is right that each sector pays their fair share for water, including agriculture.”
Dutch MEP Johannes Blokland said that implementing the directive will have to take into consideration the differing situations in each member state.
“We have to be cautious in recommending legislation on this policy, not all member states are affected in the same way,” he said.
“There should be a focus on bilateral co-operation with the southern member states.”
The environment committee is due to hold an exchange of views with the commission about the implementation of the water framework directive.
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