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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the matters (a) discussed and (b) decided at the European Environment Ministers Council on 28 and 29 June; what votes were taken; how the UK voted in each case; and if she will place in the Library copies of papers (i) tabled by the UK and (ii) which have implications for United Kingdom policies. [181964] Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 28 to 29 June; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [181878] Mr. Morley: I attended the Environment Council on 28 June 2004, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Council reached political agreement on two proposals. The first was an amendment to the Directive concerning the sulphur content of marine fuels, which is intended to lead to a significant reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions from ships operating within member states' waters. The text as adopted would fulfil the obligations of the UK (and other member states) under the recently ratified International Maritime Organisation rules relating to Sulphur Oxide Emission Control Areas and also includes provision for the use of approved abatement technologies as an alternative to low-sulphur fuel. The proposal was adopted by qualified majority, with UK support. Council also reached political agreement on a revised Bathing Water Directive, with unanimous support. The proposal sets standards for the monitoring and classification of bathing waters. It incorporates a new category of bathing water (`satisfactory/acceptable'), and flexible management arrangements including discounting of samples taken during short-term contamination incidents, within certain limits. We also discussed a proposed Regulation on shipments of waste. Agreement was not reached at this Council, because one member state maintained a general scrutiny reserve, and unanimity was required in the face of a Commission disagreement as Council decided to change the proposed legal base to Article 175. The proposal updates an existing Regulation to reflect revisions to the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous waste and their disposal and the relevant OECD decision. Twenty- four member states, including the UK, were able to support the proposal. The dossier will be considered further in COREPER with a view to adoption at a future Council. Council adopted Conclusions relating to the Commission communication "Towards a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste". These were wide-ranging, and included encouragement to the Commission to develop this thematic strategy in tandem with its work on the use of natural resources and integrated product policy. We held a policy debate on various aspects of the proposed Regulation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH). As requested by the Presidency, the UK made only a short intervention, providing further comments in a written paper, a copy of which will be placed in the Library. The Presidency drew the conclusion that work should continue in the ad hoc working group. Council was asked to agree a decision concerning the placing on the market of a maize product (Zea mays L. line NK603), genetically modified for glyphosate intolerance. The UK supported the Decision, but no qualified majority was attained to either support or reject the proposal.In the absence of a Council decision, the Commission will be able to adopt its proposal. Council was briefed by the Presidency on the outcome of conferences on biodiversity held in Killarney and Malahide, and a further set of Conclusions was adopted on halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. The UK was among a group of member states that successfully pressed for additional points on illegal logging, emphasising the need for urgent action to eliminate imports of illegally harvested timber as a contribution to halting biodiversity loss. Council also discussed the importance of effective financial arrangements to support the Natura 2000 network as an important contribution towards achieving global and regional biodiversity protection. We looked forward to debating the Commission's expected communication on financing Natura 2000. A further policy debate was held, on the proposed Directive on managing waste from the extractive industries. Again, the UK provided a written submission, a copy of which will be placed in the Library. A number of short information points were raised under Any Other Business. There was also an appeal by Germany, supported by several others, for an early proposal for new Euro V standards with a view to reducing particulate emissions from diesel cars.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

181964; 423 c1141-3W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Crops Air pollution Biodiversity Contamination Chemicals Environment protection Genetically modified organisms Hazardous substances Exhaust emissions Fuels EU action Motor vehicles Pollution control Recycling Standards Water Shipping Waste disposal Seas and oceans Timber Diesel Maize Sulphur dioxide Pollutants EU environmental policy EU Environment Council

Link

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