Estrela, Madeira e dos Santos (PSE), in writing. (PT) The undersigned Members voted against Amendment 27 of the Maaten report on the quality of bathing water, because, according to epidemiological studies, there are differences between coastal and inland waters.

According to those studies, the dangers of faecal contamination to children (the most vulnerable group) are caused by various bacteria. It therefore makes complete sense to maintain the difference between coastal and inland waters, which is in fact what the Council had proposed.

The undersigned Members voted against Amendments 5, 7, 8, 12 and 32 because they are in favour of the existence of the ‘sufficient’ category for classifying bathing water.

This ‘sufficient’ classification would make it possible to assess a stretch of bathing waters on a gradual, rolling basis. Accordingly, if those waters comply with the directive, they would have the opportunity to be promoted to ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ levels.