Environment (Hansard, 27 March 1990)

§ Mr. Chris Patten

I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting.

Agreement was reached, subject to final confirmation by the Federal Republic of Germany, on a directive on the freedom of access to environmental information. This is a principle which has been consistently promoted by the United Kingdom, and which is strongly reflected in the Environmental Protection Bill currently before Parliament. I was therefore particularly pleased that agreement was reached on a measure which has great significance for public accountability and for the environment across Europe. The directive requires member states to provide the public with access to environmental information held by all public authorities with environmental responsibilities, while setting out certain categories of information whose confidentiality may be protected where necessary. It also provides for the dissemination to the public of general information on the environment.

The Council concluded agreement on two directives on the contained use and the deliberate release of genetically modified micro-organisms. These directives establish a Communitywide system for regulating operations involving genetic modification. They are broadly compatible with United Kingdom legislation relating to human health and safety, and with proposals in part VI of the Environmental Protection Bill. They are also in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution in its 13th report. The system established under these directives will secure a high level of environmental protection, while providing stable arrangements for the development of the biotechnology industry in the United Kingdom and in Europe as a whole.

Agreement was also concluded on a regulation establishing a European Environment Agency responsible for the collection, co-ordination and analysis of environmental information. The Council considered and agreed amendments submitted by the European Commission reflecting opinions expressed by the European Parliament. In particular, it was agreed that the work programme of the agency would be reviewed after two years of operation. The location of the headquarters of the agency will be decided separately.

A useful discussion took place on the development of a Community policy on global climate change. Ministers considered an informal Commission paper on this subject, but there was widespread recognition that further work was urgently needed. I was able to make a number of specific suggestions for positive action by the Community which would assist reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The Commission was invited by the presidency to undertake further consideration of these issues.

The Council heard a progress report from the Commission on negotiations towards the revision of the Montreal protocol on substances which deplete the ozone layer. I urged the Commission to maintain the Community's case for the fastest possible phase-out of CFCs, and to consider further improvements to the Community's position on other ozone-depleting chemicals.

I warmly welcomed a draft Council resolution setting out a strategy and principles for the Community's policy on waste. The resolution, which was adopted, includes commitments to waste minimisation and recycling, together with the aim of self-sufficiency of member states in waste disposal. It will provide the framework within which a number of new directives on waste will be brought forward in the near future.

118W

I also welcomed the Commission's recent proposals for a consolidated directive on car emissions, which received a generally favourable reaction in a first exchange of views.

Ministers again reviewed progress on a draft directive concerning water pollution by nitrate from diffuse sources, which was remitted for further discussion. A proposal to establish a committee to review and amend technical details of certain existing directives on water quality was also discussed and received United Kingdom support.

I took the opportunity to urge the Commission to bring forward new proposals containing tough controls of emissions from lorry and other diesel engines in line with the United States 1994 standard, the strictest in any current legislation. In addition, I asked the Commission to come forward quickly with proposals on the incineration of toxic and dangerous wastes which will ensure that the highest standards of design and operation, reflecting state of the art technology, are applied throughout the Community.