Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 March 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 March 2012. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Monday, 19 March 2012 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

British Overseas Territories

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what her policy was on extending the LIFE+ funding instrument to the British Overseas Territories during negotiations at the EU Environment Council on 9 March 2012;

Answer: The Commission published a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) for 2014-20 in December 2011. An orientation debate on this proposal was held at the EU Environment Council on 9 March. During the debate, the UK argued for the extension of the LIFE programme to all the Overseas Countries and Territories of EU member states. UK officials are in contact with France, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Commission about this issue.

Secondary information