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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the dates of meetings of (a) the EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources and (b) the EU Committee on the conservations of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (habitat) during the Danish and Greek Presidencies; what items were on each agenda for each meeting; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting, including the officials present; and if she will make a statement. [132716] Mr. Morley: The information is as follows: (a) The EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources; The EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources did not meet during the Danish Presidency. It met on one occasion during the Greek presidency on 27 March 2003. Issues discussed at the Committee included grassland fertilisation and nitrates, tracing nitrate origin, and updated monitoring guidelines for groundwater and surface waters. (b) The EU Committee on the conservations of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (habitat); The Habitats Committee (the Committee on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) met during the Danish Presidency on 20 November 2002 and during the Greek Presidency on 10 March 2003. Issues discussed included the Natura 2000 Network and conservation projects. The devolved administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are kept fully informed of the work of all Committees and their views are fully reflected at Committee meetings. Regarding any preparatory meetings, Exemption two to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

132716; 413 c889W;413 c888W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Committees Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs EU action Meetings Scotland

Link

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