Written question asked by Bob Laxton (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 November 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 November 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pollution Control

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what further steps the Government plan to take to improve the regulatory framework for fine particle PM2.5 emissions in the UK;

Answer: Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe introduces new requirements for assessment and regulation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air. These largely mirror those in the 2007 UK National Air Quality Strategy.The consultation published on 9 November sets out the UK Government's approach to transposing and implementing the requirements of the directive. This is available on DEFRA's website.The devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be publishing similar consultations.The required monitoring and assessment is in place across the UK and the consultation Impact Assessment shows that, on the basis of current projections, the UK is on track to meet the new legal obligations for PM2.5, though this will be kept under review.

Secondary information