HC Deb 02 July 1980 vol 987 cc604-5W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the outcome of the Council of Environment Ministers' meeting on 30 June.

Mr. King

The Council had a general policy discussion on the Community environment action programme and agreed in principle to a proposed regulation banning the import of whale products. Agreement on other substantive proposals before the Council could not be reached.

The general discussion on the environment action programme was based on a memorandum from the Commission on progress made to date. This provided an opportunity for a useful exchange of views on the way forward. I called for a review of the whole field of future action in order to establish clear priorities, with the aim of concentrating work on those areas where action at Community level is necessary and likely to be effective. I stressed that such action might not always need legislation; and that account had to be taken of the limited resources available.

The draft directive on major industrial hazards was the subject of protracted discussion. Much progress was made towards resolving outstanding issues which presented difficulty for the United Kingdom, but it proved impossible to settle the implications of the draft directive for risks in one country arising from activities in another. The draft directive was remitted to officials for further consideration.

There was a brief discussion of principle on the draft directive on the discharge of "drins," the first proposal dealing with emission standards and quality objectives for a "black" list substance. I restated the United Kingdom position. Officials were instructed to complete work in the light of the discussion on quality objectives and new plant, with a view to reaching agreement at the next Council.

Following a brief discussion the Commission undertook to bring forward further proposals on the use of chlorofluorocarbons in accordance with the decision of the Council of 17 December 1979.

On the banning of the import of whale products, there was a positive response by Ministers to my efforts to achieve results. Agreement in principle was given to the structure of the draft regulation including the starting date of 1 January 1982, subject to a review of the opinion of the European Parliament.