Germany's economy minister called on the European Union to avoid intervening in carbon prices, highlighting controversy over EU regulators' plans to strengthen the market. The minister's comments follow a proposal last month to clarify the right of the bloc’s regulator to delay some auctions of carbon permits as of 2013 to curb oversupply. In addition, earlier this year EU politicians supported a proposal to withhold permits from the market after an overestimation of need led to a price-depressing surplus of 500 million to 1.4 billion permits. "It’s not the politicians’ task to interfere with the system," said the minister. However, Environment Minister Peter Altmaier said that rebuilding the “stimulus function” of the EU carbon market is key to ensuring that the market can continue to cut pollution, and EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said that she is confident member states would approve changes to the supply of permits. For the full story, see http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-17/eu-shouldn-t-intervene-in-carbon-market-german-minister-says.html. Earlier: http://elr.info/international/international-update/eu-may-withold-carbon-permits-increase-prices.