{"id":94963,"date":"2018-10-09T11:08:08","date_gmt":"2018-10-09T09:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=94963"},"modified":"2018-12-18T13:54:46","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T12:54:46","slug":"100-environmental-groups-launch-european-campaign-to-save-the-eu-water-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/fr\/100-environmental-groups-launch-european-campaign-to-save-the-eu-water-law\/","title":{"rendered":"100 environmental groups launch European campaign to save the EU water law"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A lot of things go into beer production, but it all starts with good quality water. But imagine a world where your favourite beer looked, smelt and tasted like dirty water. Or instead of your usual pint, you were served up a bowl of dry, crunchy hops. That\u2019s the scenario 100 NGOs want to prevent as they launch a new campaign calling on the European Commission to defend the EU law that protects all sources of Europe\u2019s water, such as rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater, during its ongoing evaluation (known as a ‘Fitness Check’).<\/p>\n

The online campaign, called\u00a0#ProtectWater<\/a>, is led by WWF, the European Environmental Bureau, European Anglers Alliance, European Rivers Network and Wetlands International, who together form the Living Rivers Europe coalition.<\/p>\n

Take part in our #ProtectWater campaign to tell the European Commission to uphold the EU Water Framework Directive and in doing so, protect Europe\u2019s rivers, lakes, groundwater and wetlands, and the wildlife they house, for generations to come.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The campaign uses provocative scenarios and imagery around the future of beer to encourage citizens in Europe and beyond to participate in the European Commission\u2019s public consultation on the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which is running until 4 March 2019. This consultation is the only opportunity for the general public to have its say during the evaluation of the law, and the campaign provides an easy tool for citizens to express their support to keep this law strong and effective.<\/p>\n

Whilst the scenarios painted in the campaign might seem extreme, beer companies are indeed worried about the future quality of water in Europe, and have\u00a0issued a joint statement<\/a>, signed by individual breweries, including Csupor, Pivovarna Trot, and Ground Zero, as well as the Romanian Craft Brewers’ Association and Slovakia\u2019s Association of Small Independent Breweries. All of these companies recognise that their ability to produce good quality beer relies on the protection and sustainable management of Europe\u2019s water sources, and therefore support the WFD in its current form.<\/p>\n

Sergiy Moroz, Senior Policy Officer for Water and Biodiversity for the European Environmental Bureau (EEB)<\/strong>, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe EU has world-leading water protection laws that are up to the job of protecting freshwater ecosystems from pressures such as the impact of hydropower and pollution and over-abstraction from agriculture and industry. But, shockingly, the political will from EU governments to use them is lacking. It is unacceptable that instead of trying to improve the health of our rivers and lakes EU governments are discussing how to weaken vital protection for our waters.<\/em>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened on the planet [1] and the situation is no different in Europe. 60% of EU waters are not healthy today [2] because Member States have allowed them to be exploited in ways that cause permanent harm, such as through dams, the construction of other destructive infrastructure, and unsustainable agriculture. Through the WFD, Member States agreed to put a stop to this and achieve \u201cgood status\u201d for their waters by 2027 at the very latest (the original 2015 deadline was missed by a long shot). 2027 is also the year which the #ProtectWater campaign playfully poses as the fictional \u2018expiration date\u2019 for good beer.<\/p>\n

Where political will exists, the WFD provides an effective framework for addressing the main pressures facing our waters [3], but Member States need to significantly step up their efforts and funding if the 2027 deadlines are to be achieved. Results to improve the health of their waters have been few and far between, and Member States are now discussing how the law can be weakened to introduce greater flexibility for themselves.<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notes to the editors:\u00a0<\/strong>
\n[1]\u00a0Living Planet Report<\/a><\/em>, WWF, 2016
\n[2]\u00a0European waters: Assessment of status and pressures 2018<\/a><\/em>, EEA, 2018
\n[3]\u00a0Bringing life back to Europe\u2019s waters: The EU water law in action<\/em><\/a>, WWF, EEB, European Anglers Alliance, European Rivers Network, 2018<\/p>\n

> About the\u00a0#ProtectWater<\/a>\u00a0campaign<\/strong><\/div>\n