Day: 13 November 1998

Anglers bemoan deterioration of Irish lakes

The great lakes of the west of Ireland show growing signs of environmental strain, according to an Irish anglers group.

French Environment Ministry announces new tax to enforce ‘polluter pays’ principle

French Environment Minister, Dominique Voynet, announced last month that she has formed a working group to examine the feasibility of an 'eco-tax' on fertilisers and pesticides. This will form part of the General Tax on Polluting Activities ((Taxe Generale sur les Activités Polluantes - TGAP), due to be applied to the water sector in 2000. The working group must report to Voynet, by the end of the year.

EU Foreign Ministers endorse EU-US action plan despite environmental misgivings

EU Foreign Ministers Monday on Monday gave the European Commission the go-ahead to begin implementation of an action plan to enhance trade relations between the US and EU, despite calls from environmental NGOs for a moratorium on the plan's environmental effects.

Hong Kong residents support more investment in sewage disposal

Six out of ten residents would pay up to $200 more for improved sewage disposal, says a study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At the same time, over half the respondents thought it adequate to treat water to meet only the basic requirements.

Fish farm problems highlighted

Some types of fish farm have major environmental impacts, and may actually worsen problems of overfishing, says a new report in the journal, Science.

Germany declares its hand on transboundary water issues

The German Government has backed a set of recommendations calling on the water industry to change its approach to transboundary water management.

World extends relief to hurricane victims

Relief funding and supplies are pouring into the Central American countries destroyed by Hurricane Mitch - the worst hurricane in 200 years. The United States government is adding $10 to its $70 million offering; the World Bank is making more than $200 million available.

Buenos Aires – progress but still no agreement as summit draws to close on Friday 13th

As the Buenos Aires summit draws to a close, there have been some encouraging signs of progress, but still no agreement on major issues such as carbon trading, and the role of developing countries.

New German government to push for EU energy tax deal

Germany's first-ever "red-green" government has set itself a broad environmental policy agenda, featuring a phaseout of nuclear energy, access to justice for environmental NGOs, and a review of the country's packaging waste management system that might involve the introduction of a "red dot" for hard-to-recycle materials.