Today, the S&D Group in the European Parliament voted to set ambitious measures in the National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NECD) in order to cut toxic emissions that contribute to air pollution.

The adopted  resolution is  in favour of strict and binding emissions targets for 2025 and 2030; specific measures to protect vulnerable people; a greater say for local councils on how air pollution should be tackled; and enhanced public consultation and access to justice if governments fail to deliver.

The European Parliament also supported plans to set targets for agricultural emissions, including ammonia. Agriculture is one of the largest contributors of PM2.5 (particulate matter) across the EU, and is responsible for up to 40% of air pollution related deaths in some European countries.

The proposals included ambitious and binding limits for six toxic pollutants, which cause an estimated 690,000 premature deaths per year in the European Union, with an economic cost for health estimated at between €300-900 billion every year.

S&D MEP and Group's lead negotiator on the NECD, Seb Dance, said:

"Almost 700,000 people are dying prematurely across the European Union every year. The cost of this loss of human lives – not just the human toll it takes on families and loved ones – runs into billions of Euros of lost productivity. The cost of doing nothing is significantly higher than properly getting to grips with and acting on this issue.

"The European Parliament has done the right thing today and backed measures which combine comprehensive ambition with the necessary tools to act.

"We have rightly backed ambitious and binding limits on toxic emissions that will force governments across Europe to act.

"The agriculture sector should play its part, just as the car industry should following the emissions test scandal. Thousands of deaths are attributable to ammonia from farms, and the setting of limits on agricultural emissions is both necessary and fair."

S&D MEP and spokesperson on health and climate, Matthias Groote, said:

"Around 90% of Europeans living in cities are exposed to levels of air pollution deemed damaging to human health. Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those from low income groups are particularly affected - people doomed to inhale polluted air, suffer worsening health and even death, as a result of ever-increasing emissions. The agreed proposal represents a solid foundation in order to minimize the risk of air pollution.

"It is a shame that once again the EPP voted against the introduction of binding targets for mercury. This material is not only extremely harmful, but it also travels long distances through the air. In 2010, 87.5 tons of mercury emissions were released in the EU alone; half goes back to coal-fired plants. It is important to reduce the harmful emissions of mercury to save lives and health care costs within the EU."