§ 23. Phil SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action her Department is taking to implement the water framework directive. [86788]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Water Framework Directive has to be transposed into national law by December 2003. The Government published the second of three consultation papers on 29th October 2002, which consults on the key policy issues to transposition and implementation and a third consultation paper, with draft transposing Regulations and an updated Regulatory Impact assessment will be published by Defra next year. The Environment Agency will play a key role in implementation of the Directive as the "competent authority". My officials are working closely with the Agency to ensure that implementation deadlines will be met.