Administration of environmental health systems

Recommendation 562 (1969)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 30 September 1969 (9th Sitting) (see Doc. 2627, report of the Committee on Social and Health Questions). Text adopted by the Assembly on 30 September 1969 (9th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Aware of the great importance of environmental health programmes in promoting physical, mental and social wellbeing ;

2. Noting that in most Council of Europe member states the responsibility for the administration of environmental health systems is divided between various authorities ;

3. Recognising that in view of the broad scope of environmental health the improvement of standards can best be achieved by a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to the different problems involved, including the adequacy and fitness of housing, the safety and cleanness of food, the prevention of air and water pollution, the control of noise, the safe disposal of solid and liquid waste, and the health and welfare of industrial, agricultural and commercial workers ;

4. Noting the increasing concern in the world in general and in Europe in particular at the deterioration of the environment due largely to the rapid growth of urbanisation, industrialisation and population, and concerned at the effects of this deterioration on all sections of the community, particularly on children ;

5. Recalling in this connection its Recommendation 436 (1965) urging member governments to initiate joint action to control fresh water pollution and inviting the Committee of Ministers to draw up a "European Water Charter", and recalling its Recommendation 555 (1969) proposing that the Committee of Ministers should prepare a European convention on the protection of fresh water against pollution,

6. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a draw up a European declaration on the principles of environmental health administration with particular reference to the need to establish and develop a comprehensive and co-ordinated service at the national and local level for the promotion of environmental health and the need for an adequate number of fully trained inspectors for the control of all aspects of environmental health, throughout a country ;

b invite member governments :

6.2.1 to draft the necessary legislation for the improvement of standards of environmental health by establishing such a comprehensive and co-ordinated service as referred to in paragraph 6 (a) ;

6.2.2 to ensure the harmonisation of legislation on environmental health within the Council of Europe member states.