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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the consequences for the brick industry if the European Commission does not ratify Phase 1 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [219545] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 3 March 2005]: The brick industry have made several representations on the effects of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on their industry and these have been taken fully into account in our negotiations with the Commission on temporary exclusion from the scheme for Climate Change Agreement participants. If the Commission do not approve the UK's application to temporarily exclude Climate Change Agreement participants from Phase 1 of the EU scheme, the brick industry will join the scheme from 1 January 2005. If the European Commission did not approve the amended UK National Allocation Plan for Phase I (2005-7) of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the Government would be unable to issue free allowances to installations covered by the Scheme. This would include operators of installations in the brick industry. Government are continuing its dialogue with the Commission with a view to finding a solution which addresses the concerns of both sides and which will enable allowances to be issued as soon as possible. While we cannot give a firm date at this stage, the Government envisage that the issuance of free allowances will be made well in advance of the deadline for surrendering allowances of 30 April 2006.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

219545; 431 c1435W;431 c1429-30W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Construction Air pollution Climate change EU law Industry EU emissions trading scheme Pollution control Bricks

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk