§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the steps necessary to comply with the EU Environmental Liability Directive. [174765]
§ Alun MichaelThe directive is required to be implemented by May 2007. It will be necessary to transpose its requirements into UK law, and appropriate administrative and enforcement measures put in place. As part of this process, the Department will consult with stakeholders to assist identification of the critical issues and to ensure that they have an opportunity to influence decisions that will affect them.