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European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik [pictured], has welcomed the provisional agreement on sulphur emissions from ships.

Commenting on the agreement, Potočnik said: "I am pleased that legislation to reduce sulphur and hence secondary particulate matter emissions from ships now have the political support of Member States.

"This is excellent news for our health and the environment, especially in ports and coastal areas, as it means that an agreement with the European Parliament on the Directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels is now possible. Without this Directive emissions from shipping would by 2020 exceed emissions from all land-based sources. I congratulate the Danish Presidency for the excellent work they have done on this issue."