Swedish EPA demands stronger EU air strategy

The EU should set more ambitious targets for cutting air pollution than finally proposed by the European Commission last month in the Cafe air quality strategy, Sweden's environmental protection agency argues in a new analysis.

Cafe was weakened shortly before its publication following objections that its estimated €12.1bn price tag would harm European industry. The Swedish EPA insists that a return to the previous higher ambition level is necessary, and that the costs of doing so have been overestimated (EED 21/09/05).