Personally happy because I like to work on environment and health, but workload for staff must be reduced / The Commission should not repeat the pace and the amount of proposals on environment / Whoever becomes Chair of ENVI Committee should put more emphasis on health

“Personally, I am very happy about this decision, because I like to work on environment and health and feel obliged to deliver on my promises from the campaign, which would have been a bit more complicated with two separate committees. On the other hand, I think something has to change compared to the last parliament. At least 25% of all co-decision files landed in ENVI. This is challenging, in particular for the staff. That is why we need fewer proposals from the European Commission. This is necessary anyhow, because citizens, particularly those working in industry and agriculture, are overwhelmed by too many proposals. We also need a Chair of ENVI who puts enough priority on health and does not only look at environmental issues. A split could have been a good solution, but if the two above-mentioned conditions are met, I am also happy”, said the health policy spokesperson of the largest party in the European Parliament (EPP Christian Democrats), Peter Liese.