ECT environment provisions env legislative procedures art 175 Art 95 Common agricultural policy Common transport policy Common energy policy (not directly in Treaty)

Choice of legal basis why important? –Limited competence of institutions –Decision making procedure –MS powers how to decide? –Objective factors –C 164,165/97 in Krämer 1-4, 6-12

Legislation under environment policy: art 175 Co-decision –for art 174(a) measures (art 175(1)) –general action programmes (art 175(3)) Council unanimity (art 175(2)): –Measures of a fiscal nature –Measures affecting town and country planning, quantitative management of water resources or affecting, directly or indirectly, the availability of those resources, land use, exception of waste management; –measures significantly affecting a Member State's choice between energy sources the general structure of its energy supply Council discretion

art 95: harmonisation Balance requirements of common market with high level of protection (art 95(3))

other legal bases Common ag policy: Art 33 env/sust dev not mentioned Art 6 integration principle UK v Council 68/86 Drift net case 405/92 C 164,165/97 in Krämer p1-4, 6-12 Reg 746/96 on ag prod methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment….

Other legal bases Common transport policy Art no direct mention of env but art 72 but Commission v Germany 195/90, 90R Art 6 intergration

Other legal bases Energy ‘policy’ (scattered) Art 6 integration Under internal market –Eg common rules for internal market in electricity, natural gas under art 95 Under external relations –supply Under art 175 –Emissions, conservation of energy, renewables Under research and development art –Renewables, sust dev Under transport policy –Vehicle taxes

MS freedom to derogate Art 174(2) if measure includes safeguard clause Art 176 re more stringent measures –compatible with Treaty –notified to Commission –Dusseldorp C203/96 in Krämer p , 28-33

MS freedom to derogate after harmonisation –Art 95(4): maintain national provisions Art 30 major needs or Protect env Protect working env Notify Grounds

MS freedom to derogate Art 95(5): introduce national provisions –New evidence –Protect env or working env –Must be specific to MS –Notify –Grounds Commission must approve Commission must examine general need Measure would generally have safeguard clause

MS freedom to derogate –In practice depends on scope of harmonisation: Compassion in world farming C1/96, Red grouse C169/89, Nijman C125/88, Albert Heijn C 94/83, Balsamo C380/87, Toolex 473/98, Burstein 127/97 –Then determine if minimum or complete harmonisation Minimum harmonisation now the rule –Implicit harmonisation Inter-Huiles C172/82 –Complete harmonisation VAG Sverige AB C329/95

MS freedom to derogate If specific MS problem Comm decision 94/783, see Krämer p 33-35, 38-42

MS freedom to derogate Other general principles may need to be observed –Proportionality Commission v Germany C 131/93 Inherent derogation based on higher interests Leybuch C 57/89