Proposals for further scrutiny are Nos. 1.1 and 1.2, inclusive. No. 1.1 is COM (2007) 18, a proposal regarding the specification of petrol, diesel and gas-oil and introducing a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of road transport fuels and the specification of fuel used by inland waterway vessels. Minimum specifications for petrol and diesel fuels are set out in the fuel quality directive, Directive 98/70/EC. This current proposal arises from the European Commission's review of that existing directive and aims to reduce air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions and to help implement Community strategies on air quality and climate change.
Specific amendments proposed to the existing directive include a reduction in the sulphur content in non-road fuels and fuels used on inland waterways, allowance of higher fuel vapour levels and oxidation levels for bio-fuel blends to promote the use of bio-fuels, and mandatory monitoring of life-cycle greenhouse gases in fuels to be introduced in 2009, and from 2011 to 2020, fuel suppliers will be required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in fuels by 1% per annum.
The Department in its information note notes that national legislation on the enforcement of fuel laundering may require amendment since sulphur levels, although not the primary method of differentiation, are used to differentiate between road diesel and marked gas oil. The Department also points out that while the proposed measure is welcome, in that a reduction in sulphur levels will improve air quality and the proposal may reduce CO2 emissions, there remains a possibility that air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides will increase. I understand there may be an element of trade-off here and that the Department will be monitoring developments on this issue.
In view of the concerns noted by the Department, it is proposed to refer this proposal to the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government for further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 1.2 is COM (2007) 58, a proposal to amend the directive relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption and the regulations on the common organisation of the market in milk and milk products. This proposal is known as the dairy mini-package and aims to simplify the common organisation of the market for milk and milk products. It aims to amend three existing measures in this area. The main changes aim to allow manufacturers to standardise the protein content of milk powders at 34% and to reduce the intervention price to account for the lower protein content, simplify the butter intervention system, remove the unused and obsolete private storage schemes for cream and skimmed milk powder and remove the unused aid scheme for military forces, remove compulsory use of import licences, allow the production and marketing of milk of a wider range of fat contents within the EU, and simplify the school milk scheme by introducing a uniform rate of aid, irrespective of the fat content of milk delivered to pupils.
The Department in its information note indicates there are no implications for Ireland of much of the proposal given that many of the proposed amendments are of a technical or obsolete nature. However, the Department does raise concerns regarding the proposed amendment to the school milk scheme. Notwithstanding that the Department is in support of simplification, if a uniform rate of aid is introduced in place of a rate depending on fat content, as is the case at present, Ireland could lose 11% of current EU aid. The Department also indicates that the lower level of aid might negatively impact on participation in the scheme by suppliers. The Department has confirmed that it will strongly argue for a compromise rate of aid.
It is suggested to refer this proposal to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food for further scrutiny and to the Joint Committee on Health and Children for information. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No Title IV measures were received for this meeting. CFSP measures are Nos. 3.1 to 3.10, inclusive. No. 3.1 is CFSP (2007) 106, a Council joint action concerning the mandate of the European Union special representative in Afghanistan. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.