The environmental challenges for the EU Budget 2007-13

The next financial perspective – which will determine how Europe’s annual budget of EUR 120 billion is spent over the period 2007-2013 – will have a major impact on Europe’s citizens, economy and environment. For too long, major EU budget lines such as the Common Agricultural Policy have failed to deliver public benefits in return for payments from the public purse. The Green 10 believes that the debate on the financial perspective presents a crucial opportunity to reverse this trend by ensuring that funds are clearly linked to the EU’s sustainable development objectives.

European leaders failed to reach an agreement on the EU’s financial perspective for the period 2007-2013 at the European Council on 16-17 June. The CAP budget and the UK rebate were the two most difficult issues to resolve. Talks will therefore continue during the UK Presidency with a view to reaching an agreement at the European Council in December.