Annexes to COM(2004)416 - "The European Environment & Health Action Plan 2004-2010" - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2004)416 - "The European Environment & Health Action Plan 2004-2010". |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2004)416  |
| date | June 9, 2004 |
* improving the information chain to understand the links between sources of pollution and health effects (actions 1-4).
* Filling the knowledge gap by strengthening research and addressing the emerging issues on environment and health (actions 5-8).
* reviewing policies and improving communication (actions 9-13).
The concrete actions in terms of "response" will be further defined and developed as our understanding improves. The first step is to assess the contribution that environmental factors make to health problems. This involves completing the knowledge and information chain from the environmental cause including pollution sources through different pathways to the human health effects. Improvements in environment and health monitoring are required to ensure that both policies are properly co-ordinated. In addition, the EU Framework Programme for Research will reinforce the scientific research efforts to analyse and improve our knowledge on the causal links between environmental factors and human health. Only when sufficiently clear evidence is available, also in line with the precautionary principle [7], can appropriate policy options be developed in order to review and if necessary revise existing policy responses and develop new ones.
[7] The criteria for application of the precautionary principle are defined in the Commission Communication COM(2000) 1 final.
The Action Plan can be summarised as follows and are set out in more detail in Volume II "Annexes to the European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010":
1 - IMPROVE THE INFORMATION CHAIN by developing integrated environment and health information to understand the links between sources of pollutants and health effects:
Action 1: Develop environmental health indicators
Action 2: Develop integrated monitoring of the environment, including food, to allow the determination of relevant human exposure
Action 3: Develop a coherent approach to biomonitoring in Europe
Action 4: Enhance coordination and joint activities on environment and health
2 - FILL THE KNOWLEDGE GAP by strengthening research on environment and health and identifying emerging issues
Action 5: Integrate and strengthen European environment and health research
Action 6: Target research on diseases, disorders and exposures
Action 7: Develop methodological systems to analyse interactions between environment and health
Action 8: Ensure that potential hazards on environment and health are identified and addressed
3 - RESPONSE : REVIEW POLICIES AND IMPROVE COMMUNICATION
by developing Awareness Raising, Risk Communication, Training & Education to give citizens the information they need to make better health choices, and to make sure that professionals in each field are alert to environment and health interactions.
Action 9 : Develop public health activities and networking on environmental health determinants through the public health programme
Action 10 : Promote training of professionals and improve organisational capacity in environment and health
by reviewing and adjusting risk reduction policy
Action 11 : Coordinate ongoing risk reduction measures and focus on the priority diseases
Action 12 : Improve indoor air quality
Action 13 : Follow developments regarding electromagnetic fields
During this initial period the Action Plan focuses particularly on gaining a better understanding of the links between environmental factors and respiratory diseases, neuro-developmental disorders, cancer and endocrine disrupting effects. For these multi-causal diseases and conditions, there are indications and some initial evidence that environmental factors can play a role in their development and aggravation. To characterise the environmental contribution more precisely and to focus on the most important diseases and conditions within the disease groups more information is needed. The Action Plan will set up targeted research actions to improve and refine knowledge of the relevant causal links, and at the same time, health monitoring will be improved to obtain a better picture of disease occurrence across the Community.
The other key information aspect is to monitor exposure through the environment, including food, to the factors most linked to the occurrence of these diseases. In order to develop a coherent framework for integrated exposure monitoring, three pilot projects were carried out on substances for which data collection and monitoring is already in place (dioxins & PCBs [8], heavy metals and endocrine disrupters). The Action Plan will apply this framework to assess exposure not only to the pilot substances but to all the principal environmental factors associated with health problems, and will adapt environment and food monitoring where needed. [9]
[8] Polychlorinated Biphenyls.
[9] In addition to developing a general methodology the working groups made many substance specific recommendations. These will be taken into account in the Commission initiatives targeted on these substances, for example the Dioxin & PCB Strategy (COM(2001) 593), the Endocrine Disrupter Strategy (COM(1999) 706) and the forthcoming Mercury Strategy.
Once the necessary risk-based information is available the appropriate risk management decisions can be taken, either by individuals or public policy makers. In both cases communication and awareness-raising will be important in ensuring that well informed, science based decisions are made.
The concerns of children are integrated throughout the Action Plan. A number of major child health issues will be covered in the monitoring, as will exposure to the environmental stressors to which children are particularly sensitive. Research on susceptibility is particularly important, so that policy responses can be adjusted to the needs of children in those cases where they are particularly vulnerable. The proposals in the Action Plan on indoor air pollution are a case in point, as the scientific evidence shows that the health impacts of, for instance, Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) are particularly evident for children.
The Commission communication in June 2003 highlighted the regional disparities that exist throughout Europe in relation to environmental health problems. For example, the prevalence of waterborne diseases and exposure to outdoor pollution is higher in a number of the new Member States while the prevalence of asthma is higher in other Member States. Much has been and is already being, undertaken to reduce these disparities and there has already been a notable reduction in the number of deaths and illnesses from respiratory diseases as a result of efforts to reduce air pollution. The Action Plan will also seek to improve information and knowledge on the disparities that exist between regions and countries in the enlarged Union, taking into account the results of ongoing EU funded projects on emissions in the new Member States (for instance dioxins).
How will the Action Plan be implemented ?
Understanding and tackling environment-related health problems requires sustained co-operation between many actors - Member States, national, regional and local authorities, environmental, health and research communities, industry, agriculture and stakeholders. Responsibility for making progress in this complex area will have to be shared between:
* Member States who have responsibility for implementing monitoring and risk management measures. Moreover, they are also responsible for the research, education and training that is a key aspect of the environment and health interface and play a central role in ensuring that the results obtained at national level are fed into discussion at EU level and for disseminating EU information at the national and local level.
* Stakeholder groups such as industry and civil society who play a key role in translating information about identified threats into preventive action and innovative responses.
* The Commission who will continue to engage with all the main actors and promote co-operation at EU level, within its areas of competence, and liaise with the European Environment Agency, the European Food Safety Agency and other relevant bodies. Stakeholders will be fully involved in the implementation process through the Consultative Group (comprised of Member States, stakeholders and international organisations). As appropriate, relevant Scientific Committees and working groups will be consulted. In 2007 the Commission will proceed to a mid term review of the implementation of the Action Plan. The Commission will implement the actions through existing initiatives and programmes, which already have allocated resources, notably the Public Health Programme, the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and under the operational budget of the services concerned.
* International organisations, such as the WHO, OECD and United Nations bodies who have long experience in environment and health matters. Further collaboration with them will be essential to ensure that this expertise is used in guiding future activities.
The international dimension - The Budapest Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health
The Action Plan serves as the Commission's contribution to the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, organised by the WHO in Budapest in June 2004. It has been developed to be consistent with the Ministerial Declaration and the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) scheduled to be adopted in Budapest.
In the implementation of the Budapest conclusions the Commission will continue to cooperate actively with the WHO on all aspects of the environment and health interaction.