NGO calls on minister to promote cleaner air in Europe

Prague, Jan 7 (CTK) - The Czech Environment and Health Centre civic group Monday called on Environment Minister Tomas Chalupa to engage more in air protection both in the Czech Republic and Europe, Miroslav Suta, from the group, told CTK.

Suta noted that 2013 has been marked as the Year of Air in Europe.

The group asked Chalupa to support the list of measures enclosed to its New Year greeting card. The letter addressed to Chalupa was sent within a European campaign.

Non-governmental organisations from 12 other European countries addressed cabinet ministers responsible for air quality in their countries with the same demands.

Suta said it is crucial that Chalupa help push through legislation promoting cleaner air at the next EU Environment Council.

He said the EU should set lower limits for pollutants because some of the current limits are above the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

The demands on the list include an amendment to the EU air pollution standards, introduction of new national emission limits and their monitoring, reduction of emissions from farms, ship transport and small industrial combustion facilities, Suta said.