The Rhine – a River Area as a common Challenge
Bern, 15.10.2007 - The Ministerial Conference on the Rhine will take place in Bonn on Thursday, 18 October 2007 and will be attended by a Swiss delegation. Amongst other topics there will be a general view of the results of the first phase of the “Rhine 2020” programme, and about cooperation for the Rhine concerning the EU Water Framework Directive.
The responsible ministers from states bordering the Rhine, or their representatives and a member of the European Commission will meet in Bonn on 18 October 2007 to draw conclusions on the long-standing collaboration on the protection of the Rhine, its tributaries and the whole river basin, and to establish broad outlines for future collaboration. At the last conference in 2001 the “Rhine 2020” programme was passed and entrusted to the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR). Switzerland is committed to consistent implementation of the agreed programme.
The conference intends to come to decisions in the following areas:
- Reduction of water pollution by substances: There has been a marked improvement in the quality of the water in the Rhine. Nevertheless, inputs of nitrogen and of pollutants, in particular from agriculture, cause problems as do micro-pollutants in drainage water from built-up areas. The ICPR is instructed to define quality targets as regards the concentration of the 15 most important substances. In addition, the ICPR is to develop a plan to reduce pollution by substances.
- Improvement of the Ecosystem: There has been a pleasing improvement in species diversity in the Rhine and its tributaries. However the Rhine is still not accessible to migratory fish such as salmon, since their route is obstructed, especially by power plants on the French part of the upper Rhine. The ICPR has the mandate to investigate how funding can be secured for measures so the Rhine can be passed through.
- Provisions for Flooding: Despite the many improvements in flood provision and flood control over the past ten years, not all the goals agreed for the end of 2005 have yet been achieved. However, Switzerland’s possibilities in this regard are limited for topographical reasons.
- Climate Change and Consequences for the Rhine: For the first time, the Ministerial Conference on the Rhine is concerned with the effects of climate change on the Rhine. It can be expected that atmospheric warming will also heat up the water. An appropriate study should be contracted, developing scenarios for changes in the drainage regime.
- Coordination concerning the Water Framework Directive: In 2001 the Ministers agreed on coordinated implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) in the Rhine river basin. As a non-EU state, Switzerland is not obliged to comply with this Directive. However, Switzerland is ready to support the EU states bordering the Rhine, based on the Rhine Convention and Swiss legislation.
Switzerland generally supports these proposals. The Swiss delegation appointed by the Federal Council consists of members from the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The delegation is lead by Willy Geiger, Vice-Director of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).
Address for enquiries
Willy Geiger, Head of Delegation, Vice-Director FOEN, Tel. +41 79 687 11 67
Stephan Müller, Deputy Head of Delegation, Head of Water Department FOEN,
Tel. +41 79 596 13 65
Links
Publisher
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html
