Food manufacturers have expressed concern that proposals to reform European pollution controls will rob the system of flexibility. 


The European Parliament recently voted to tighten allowable emission limits in an amendment that affects food and drink manufacturers, among a limited range of business sectors.


The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) told just-food that proposed reforms to the EU’s IPPC directive (Integrated Prevention and Control) could lead to “a rigid implementation of the BAT [Best Available Techniques] reference documents” governing allowable pollution controls.


This would undermine “the flexibility concept of the [existing] directive”, which has given food businesses more leeway over pollution controls.


The CIAA said regulators should allow food companies to stray from BAT-associated emission levels in special circumstances.


The CIAA added that “substantial further work” on the law was needed.