Source: European Commission
On the 7th of August, FEPORT replied to the open public consultation regarding the ´stress-test´ of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Our contribution featured several proposals to streamline permit-granting procedures as this is key for maintaining the competitiveness of ports and terminals in the EU, while allowing them to contribute to key EU policy objectives related to, for example, decarbonisation and military mobility.
FEPORT contribution focussed both on simplifying procedures as well as the substance of the requirements. With respect to the procedural aspects, the paper stressed the need of digitalising permitting procedures while creating a ´one-stop-shop´ so that companies can submit their documents in one place while communicating with one authority only. Commenting on the substance of procedures, FEPORT reply called for an expansion of the definition of ´overriding public interest´ to allow for a smoother approval process of projects in ports contributing to key EU policy objectives.
