Countries joining the European Union this week can look forward to cleaner air but less prolific wildlife; an environment protected by more legislation but under more asphalt too.
The European Commission will impose tough pollution standards on the acceding countries, some of which suffered the worst excesses of pollution under communist rule. It will also provide cash for an expansion of farming and for building new roads. Some fear that these activities will blight the landscape and further endanger species such as brown bears, beavers and bustards in some of Europe’s last remaining wildernesses. After Spain joined the EU 18…
