The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has discussed European Chemical Policy 7 times since they first met on 10 July 2019.
This Committee is going to take the lead in the revision of Europe’s Chemical policy. This is due to contain 40 legislative proposals. The Environment Committee will lead on co-deciding on many of those proposals.
The clues about what interests MEPs, and what is likely to come up again and again, are hiding in plain sight. You just need to listen too what they say, and read what they write. I think it is worth while looking at the record of this Committee on the issues. Recent history has a habit of repeating itself.
The points that are raised are consistent. The MEPs who dominate the debate is now well established. The division along political lines clear. The lines that resonate and have broad political support are striking. If you want to know what points work with this Committee, take the time to watch the videos and read the transcript. It will help you adapt your language to help you win.
The agenda of the new and enlarged Environment Committee (81 members) is different from previous Committees. The Parliamentary schedule now has COVID and vaccine provision as the core issue. The challenge of finding legislative time to deal with this package of proposals is not small.
In the absence of concrete legislative proposals, the debates on the objections to secondary legislation for pesticides and REACH (link) give a proxy indication of political sentiment.
Exchanges
The Committee had dedicated discussions on chemicals at the following meetings.
- 4 September 2019 – item 6
Exchange of views with the Commission on the findings of the Fitness Check of the most relevant chemicals legislation (excluding REACH) and identified challenges, gaps and weaknesses (COM(2019)0264)
2. 7 November – item 28
Presentation of the responsibilities and activities of the following agencies under ENVI’s competence:- the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)- the European Medicines Agency (EMA)- the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)- the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)- the European Environment Agency (EEA)
Presentation by ECHA link
3. 2 December – item 5
Exchange of views with Bjørn Hansen, Executive Director of ECHA
4. 8 June 2020 – item 4
A chemicals strategy for sustainability
5. 25 June 2020 – items 7
Oral question for Commissioner and vote
For 79, Against 0, Abstentions 0
Vote in Committee : A chemicals strategy for sustainability
Resolution on Chemicals Stratregy 29 June 2020
Vote For 65, Against 1, Abstentions 4
Vote in Plenary: 10 July 2020
Vote For 579, Against 18, Abstentions 84
Votewatch link
7. 15 October 2020 – item 5
Exchange of views with Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commisioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries on the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability