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The significance of environmental precaution in the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive

Author
Peters H.-J.
Journal/Series
European Environmental Law Review | Vol. 5(7); 210 - 213; 4 p.
Date
1996
Source
IUCN (ID: ANA-058387)
Publisher | Place of publication
Graham & Trotman /Martinus Nijhoff | London, UK
Language
English
Country/Territory
European Union
Subject
Environment gen.
Keyword
EIA Precautionary principle
Abstract

The cornerstone of the law on the assessment of the effectss of certain public and private projects on the environment is the prevention of pollution. This principle is expressed in three different ways. Firstly, the term 'interaction' between factors as an expression of the ecosystem in Article 3 means that protection has shifted from the factors to the system. Secondly, the term 'impact' includes nuisances so that the environment must be protected even when damage does occur. Finally, low probabilities are sufficient when forecasting impacts. Thiss kind of prevention is the standard to be incorporated into the legislation of the Member States and put into effect