Juncker’s new Commissioners put environmental policies on back seat

There is a re-shuffle of EU Commissioners, and it doesn’t bode well for wildlife.

EU Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker has done away with key positions and merged responsibilites, downgrading environmental issues in favour of businesses and economic growth.  The nominee for environment commissioner  is Karmenu Vella – a businessman from Malta, whose government faces criticism for its failure to stop illegal hunting of wild birds.  The nominee for energy and climate commissioner is Miguel Arias Canete from Spain, a former oil firm president.

BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin has blogged about these changes, and our colleagues in the European Environmental Bureau have spoken out about this worrying “wish-list of private sector interest groups hostile to the environment”.

This week, MEPs are questionning the new Commissioners about their suitability for the roles.  When WWF’s Living Planet Report reveals a 76% decline in freshwater species, it is a good time to contact your MEP, and ask them to pass on your concerns about weakening environmental policies.