EC hits truck 'cancer'
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• A reduction of diesel lorry pollution to 40% of present levels has been ordered by EC Environment Commissioner Carlos Ripa di Meana. He condemns the increasing volume of goods transported by road as a "cancer".
Speaking in Brussels, he stated, "It is essential we find solutions to problems that can no longer be put off."
The main objective is to cut emissions by up to 60% and noise levels by 10%. Further detailed proposals on noise limits will be published later this year.
The crackdown will come in two stages during the next six years with the first stage on emissions due for completion by January 1993 — in line with the plans to limit pollution from cars.
Road traffic last year, he said, accounted for 90% of emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, 50% of all hydrocarbons and 50% of nitrogenous oxides.
He hopes the move should help ease transit problems with countries such as Austria and Switzerland. Austria, for example, imposed a ban on noisy lorries crossing its border during the night.
The Commissioner stressed that his proposals, on which there will be more details at a later date, were not an optional measure for member states, but compulsory.