15 October Environment Council

MINISTERS gave a mixed reception to the Commission's plans for tighter fuel quality and vehicle emission rules, duringa session open to television cameras. Belgium, France and the UK were fairly neutral about the proposals, which emerged from the so-called ‘Auto-Oil Programme', but expressed general support in principle. The other rich EU states favoured even stricter measures, while Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain voiced concern over the 5.5-billion-ecu price-tag and the proposed timetable. Germany's Angela Merkel called for tougher limits on sulphur and benzene in petrol and diesel, while Austria's Martin Bartenstein said the Commission had fallen victim to industry lobbying.