HC Deb 06 November 2002 vol 392 cc358-9W
Hugh Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has received a copy of UNEP's Report, Global Environment Outlook 3, and if she will make a statement. [79082]

Mr. Meacher

My Friend, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave a keynote speech at the global launch of the third UNEP Global Environment Outlook (GEO3) Report in London on 22 May. The Secretary of State, and the Defra officials that attended the launch, were given copies of the Report.

The GEO3 Report provides an authoritative assessment that informs our thinking on global sustainable development. Although it does not single out individual countries, it makes clear that action is required by all countries to tackle environmental degradation. The UK Government take the problems identified by the report extremely seriously and are taking appropriate action in key areas, including biodiversity, climate change, forests and oceans.

For information, the Secretary of State's speech can be found at: http://defraweb/corporate/ministers/speeches/mb230502 htm.