The improvement of air quality and the achievement of ever lower concentrations of pollutants is an ambition of fundamental importance for the protection of the health of citizens by European, national and local institutions. "Reaching near-zero limits in a limited time, however, is an extremely complex path", stated the mayor of Casalpusterlengo, Elia Delmiglio during an ENVE Commission meeting in Brussels.

The ECR member pointed out that the new proposal for the EU Directive raises significant concerns because it presents structural errors in assessing the feasibility of achieving the proposed limits and does not adequately assess some other key points.

"Lombardy - he explained -, together with other European regions, has signed a memorandum of understanding, and elaborated a position paper sent to the European Commission, in which evident concerns and perplexities are expressed". "

Improvement of air quality is important for the health of citizens but reaching near-zero limits is extremely complex and would have huge social and economic impacts on citizens. "It is excessively optimistic to aim for these targets," concluded Mr Delmiglio.