MEPs take forward debate on green issues

A series of environmental dossiers came up for votes in European parliament committees this week. On most subjects MEPs underlined the assembly's tendency to demand more and stricter green rules than either proposed by the European Commission or accepted by EU governments.

* In a close vote, the legal affairs committee adopted a second-reading report on the major draft environmental liability directive, which will set EU-wide rules on companies' financial liability for pollution. The EU council of ministers agreed its common position on the directive in June (EED 13/06/03).