Pollution Declaration

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32222, 14 February 1970, Page 11

Pollution Declaration

(N Z P A Reuter—Copyright) i STRASBOURG, February 13. ) European administrators, scientists and industrialists have called for strong national policies and international standards to control pollution. The call came in a declaration issued at the end of Europe’s first nature conser- ( vation conference, attended’ by about 350 delegates and observers from more than 20 countries.

j The declaration urged the! 1 18 membermations of the Council of Europe, which organised the four day confer- ' ence, to establish ministries responsible for planning the use of land and other natural I resources. It also pressed for an urgent European ministerial meeting to review and coordinate existing internanational environmental pro!jects. This meeting would also study proposals for a European fund to combat polluItion, and a political authority :to supervise the management I'of the Continent’s environli ment. ! Delegates also want the

I Council of Europe to draw up a protocol to the European Convention of Human Rights, guaranteeing every individual’s right to enjoy a healthy and unspoiled environment. The declaration ‘emphasised that it was essentia! that industrialists, public authorities and conservationists cooperate to make sure that industrial development goes • ahead with the least harm to the environment. i After the final session closed, the vice-president of the conference, Mr Robert Boote, of Britain, commented on the fight against pollution: •I “We are now in sight in this ! dacade of getting the i problem under control,”