Speaking following a vote in the European Parliament's Environment and Public Health Committee, rejecting the current Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)-Aviation Agreement negotiated between Member States and some MEPS supportive of sectoral aviation interests, Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said the agreement would exclude non-EU registered airlines from the regulations in the ETS, even when travelling between two European airports.

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Martina Anderson said: "This is simply not acceptable. If member State standards and regulations were to be applied to the aviation industry, it would be considered the 7th most polluting country globally.

"I hope the full EU parliamentary plenary session follows the example of the Environment Committee and votes against this weak proposal in April. Aviation, as a big polluter should be held to the same standards and regulations as others."

(CD/MH)