HC Deb 02 April 1990 vol 170 cc481-3W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals for environmental directives he has received from Directorate General XI on(a) environmental protection and pollution, (b) consumer protection from contamination and (c) nuclear safety since 1 January.

Mr. Trippier

Proposals from the European Commission for Council directives are deposited in Parliament. The following environmental proposals have been deposited since 1 January4353/90 Proposals for a Council directive amending for the 11th time directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. 8065/88 Amendment to a proposal for a Council decision authorising the Commission to negotiate and approve on behalf of the Community certain measures as part of the implementation of international agreements of a regional nature relating to environmental protection to which the Community is a contracting party. 4467/90 Proposals for a Council directive amending for the seventh time directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances. 4733/90 Amendment of the proposal for a Council directive concerning the protection of fresh, coastal and marine waters against pollution caused by nitrates from diffuse sources. 4704/90 Proposal for a Council directive amending directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles. 4822/90 Proposal for a Council directive amending directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community (Article 12).

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports on environmental matters produced by the European Parliament he has received since 1 January; and what responses he has made to them.

Mr. Trippier

The European Parliament has delivered opinions to the Council of Ministers on the following environmental matters since 1 JanuaryProposal for a Council regulation on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European environment monitoring and information network. Proposal for a Council decision amending a Council decision (85/338/EEC) in order to provide for the continuation of the Commission work programme concerning an experimental project for gathering, co-ordinating and ensuring the consistency of information on the state of the environment and natural resources in the Community. (CORINE) Proposal for a Council directive on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms. Proposal for a Council directive on the deliberate release of genetically modified micro-organisms. In addition, the Parliament has delivered a report on a programme of regional actions to be initiated by the Commission on the subject of the environment. (ENVIREG).

Opinions and reports delivered by the Parliament are taken into account in discussions in the Council of Ministers.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of European Council decision 85/338/EEC, the CORINE programme on data collection on the state of the environment in the European Community; and what support was afforded to CORINE by the United Kingdom.

Mr. Trippier

Following the European Council decision (85/338/EEC), the CORINE experimental project for gathering, co-ordinating and ensuring consistency of information on the state of the environment and natural resources in the Community was set up. The project was due to run for four years, but the Environment Council agreed on 22 March 1990 to extend it for a further two years to consolidate the progress made and to prepare for the transfer of the work to the proposed European Environment Agency. An interim report on the progress of the project was published in 1988.

United Kingdom consultants have played a leading role in developing the project, both in terms of the required computerised system and in individual topic areas. Officials from the Department of the Environment are members of a committee of national experts which oversees and steers the project.