Article 65: Environmental Protection

  1.         The policies of the Community shall be implemented in a manner that ensures the prudent and rational management of the resources of the Member States.   In particular, the Community shall promote measures to ensure:

(a) the  preservation,  protection  and  improvement  of  the  quality  of  the environment;

(b)        the protection of the life and health of humans, animals and plants; and

(c) the adoption of initiatives at the Community level to address regional environmental problems.

  1.         In formulating measures in relation to the environment, the Community shall take account of:

(a)        available and accessible scientific and technical data; (b)        environmental conditions in the Member States;

(c)        the potential costs and benefits of action or inaction;

(d) the economic and social development of the Community as a whole and the balanced development of the Member States;

(e) the precautionary principle and those principles relating to preventive action, rectification of environmental damage at source and the principle that the polluter pays; and

(f) the need to protect the Region from the harmful effects of hazardous materials transported, generated, disposed of or shipped through or within the Community.

  1.         In performing its functions under this Treaty, COTED shall ensure a balance between the requirements of industrial development and the protection and preservation of the environment.
  1.         In giving effect to this Article, the Community and the Member States shall, within their respective spheres of competence, co-operate with third States and competent environmental organisations.