MEPs demand higher standards for Europe's bathing waters

9.15.41am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th May 2005

The European Parliament has voted an EU law for further cuts in pollution of bathing waters and up to date information about the quality of the water that would have to be provided to users of beaches.

National Ministers had argued that the proposals to improve the EU Bathing Water Directive would be too costly for the public health benefits but MEPs backed a compromise proposal aimed at introducing further improvements in water quality over a ten year period.

MEPs insisted upon the introduction of simple standardised symbols to indicate the water quality at beaches across Europe.

Bill Newton Dunn, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands said that the EU's original bathing water directive had already led to a big improvement in the condition of Britain's beaches.

He said: "Sewage and swimmers should not have to share the same space. In the past, that often was the case in many parts of the EU."

"I voted for this new EU law because it will raise standards still further while giving swimmers and surfers up to date information about the quality of the water."

"Ministers and MEPs will now negotiate any final changes to the new legislation which will, it is hoped, simplify water testing procedures while also increasing their frequency."