Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 8 December 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 1997. It was answered by Win Griffiths (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 1997 on behalf of the Welsh Office.

Welsh Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is taking to deal with the effects of acid rain.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to deal with the effects of acid rain; and if he will make a statement. [20310] Mr. Win Griffiths: The UK was one of the first countries to ratify the Second Sulphur Protocol under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution. This commits the UK to reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide by 80 per cent. by 2010 compared with 1980 levels. The Government are currently taking an active part in negotiations in the EU on a Strategy to further combat acid deposition. This was discussed on 16 December at a meeting of EU Environment Ministers. Acid rain is an on-going transboundary issue and only be concerted action across Europe shall we deal effectively with the problem. The final report of the Welsh Acid Water Survey carried out in 1995-96 and commissioned by the Welsh Office and the Environment Agency, was published on 26 November. The Survey indicates that although there are signs that the benefits of emission controls are being felt in the environment the recovery of sensitive ecosystems has been slow.

Secondary information