North Sea Dumping

HC Deb 12 March 1990 vol 169 c106W

Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that the ministerial declaration made at the second international North sea conference concerning the reduction of inputs of dangerous substances to rivers and estuaries is achieved; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1990, c.734.]: I represented the Government at the third North sea conference in The Hague on 7 and 8 March. This was a constructive conference, as a result of which the North sea will be a cleaner and more wholesome sea. The United Kingdom was able to make a positive contribution to the outcome. The main features of the final declaration were as follows.

We confirmed our intention to end the dumping of industrial waste by the end of 1992, and to end dumping of sewage sludge by the end of 1998. We agreed on a strengthened approach to the reduction of nutrient inputs. In this, the decision that I announced before the conference to treat all sewage discharges made a significant contribution.

Our agreement on a harmonised approach to the control of dangerous substances is a most important step forward. It addresses the most serious source of contamination of the North sea, namely rivers. The commitment to reduce still further the impact of certain substances, to both air and water, underlines the urgency of our approach to this central problem.

We agreed to phase out and destroy all PCBs by 1999 at the latest. We made clear our fundamental objection to the long-term storage of PCBs, which is environmentally dangerous. Destruction is essential and I am particularly pleased that we pledged ourselves to provide sufficient destruction facilities for each country to destroy its own waste.

Finally, I should like to single out the agreement on wildlife, a topic which previously has been neglected. The agreement provides for action to protect and conserve wildlife, especially dophins and porpoises, and habitats. It will serve as a platform on which to build more extensive and ambitious proposals in the years to come.

The efforts of all signatories must now be directed towards the implementation of the final declaration. The United Kingdom will produce an implementation plan within three months.

A copy of the final declaration is being deposited in the Library.