Activites

• 2006/03/17 Additional information
• #X017
• 2002/10/08 Council Meeting
• 2002/07/02 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0345/2002 summary

    The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Miguel MAYOL I RAYNAL (Greens/EFA, Spain) and made some amendments to the proposal. (Please refer to the document dated 04/06/02.) With regard to alternative fuels, one amendment pointed out the advantages of pure, cold-pressed vegetable oil, such as rapeseed, which does not undergo any chemical change and can thus be produced in an environmentally friendly way. Parliament also feels that the increased use of biofuels appears desirable only if the environmental impact presents clear advantages by comparison with the use of traditional fuels. A study needs to be carried out into land use, more intensive agriculture, the relationship with alternative sustainable land use, the protection of water courses, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas potential, combustion characteristics and particle formation. Furthermore, research and technological development in the field of biofuel sustainability should be promoted. On the question of taxation, one new recital states that where more favourable national taxation framework conditions already exist or have been submitted before 01/01/03, these should be kept in place until the quantitative objectives for biofuels produced in the EU have been achieved. Finally, the Parliament wants a communication from the Commission by 31/12/07 on differentiated pricing for fuels in order to internalise their ecological, social and economic cost.�

• 2002/07/01 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• #2442
• 2002/06/20 Council Meeting
• 2002/06/04 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0218/2002
• 2002/02/04 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 2001/11/07 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(2001)0547 summary

    PURPOSE : to amend Directive 92/81/EEC by reducing excise duties so as to promote biofuels. CONTENT : The European Community is aware of the important role of biofuels in tackling climate change. Development of biofuels encourages diversity in the Community's energy sources and contributes to the medium and long-term security of its energy supply. As biofuels are subject to taxation under Directive 92/81/EEC, appropriate differentiation of excise rates would contribute to the development of the biofuel industry by lowering the high cost of producing biofuels as compared with fossil fuels. For a period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2010, Member States may apply a reduced rate of excise duty under fiscal control on biofuels, under certain conditions, and with specified limits. Those Member States which on 1 January 2001 totally exempted products solely made up of biofuels, may continue to do so until 31 December 2003. There are special provisions for public transport. The reduction will be adjusted to take account of changes in raw material prices to avoid over-compensating for the extra costs involved in the manufacture of biofuels in the event of a sustained rise in the price of crude oil. The reduction may be granted under a multiannual programme by means of an authorisation for more than one year, but it may not be applied for more than six consecutive years. The period is, however, renewable. �

  • DG ['Energy and Transport'],

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(2001)0547
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A5-0218/2002
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0345/2002

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)