Brussels - "We are ambitious but realistic", said José Manuel Fernandes MEP, author of the Report on the Commission's Green Paper on the management of bio-waste in the EU which was in plenary.

With this Report, José Manuel Fernandes MEP calls on the European Commission to present, until the end of 2010, a Directive on bio-waste management and to legislate on the separate collection of bio-waste, which should be mandatory for all Member States, except where this is not the most appropriate option from an economic and environmental point of view.

The Portuguese Rapporteur highlighted the need to consider the enormous quantity of bio-waste produced in the EU, pointed out their role in combating climate change, and their potential value as soil protectors and in promoting renewable energies. "Bio-waste can also play an important role in the recovery of soil if it is used for compost. Soil degradation could cost up to €38 billion a year. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage compost production of high quality, based on the appropriate treatment of bio-waste", Fernandes explained.

"The recycling industry creates up to 250 jobs where 10,000 tonnes of waste are recycled, by comparison with between 20 and 40 jobs created when waste is incinerated and around 10 jobs when it is dumped in landfill", highlighted the Portuguese Rapporteur.

"Therefore, a specific Directive on bio-waste management is essential for driving new investments in waste management solutions and assisting Member States to divert their bio-waste from landfills. It is also necessary to make EU legislation clearer, simpler and more coherent, assuring a long-term confidence for private and public investors", concluded Fernandes.

Both Belgian and Spanish Presidencies, which have been following these dossiers, back José Manuel Fernandes' position, also defending the creation of a Directive on the issue.

Quelle: EPP Group in the European Parliament

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