Brussels advises caution on risky oil drilling

Member states should apply the precautionary principle when considering whether to authorise risky offshore oil drilling operations until EU safety rules are improved, the commission said in a policy paper proposing legislative changes.

An earlier version leaked to the press called on EU countries to freeze such operations. Wednesday's paper shows that, after the shock following the BP oil spill, prompting calls for a moratorium by several policymakers including Günther Oettinger, fears of a disaster in Europe are winding down.