HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 cc733-4W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the outstanding problems relating to the details of the EC directive on environmental audits, mentioned in his speech of 7 February,Official Report, column 78.

Mr. Baldry

There are no problems with the EC regulation on eco-management and audit. We are making good progress in setting up the arrangements to implement the eco-management and audit scheme in the United Kingdom and aim to have it fully operational by April/May 1995. My right hon. Friend's comments were made in response to a question on the EIA directive (85/337/EEC).

The Government are committed to the principle of environment impact assessment, but we are concerned about inconsistent application within the Community, as described in the Commission's five-year report on the implementation of the EIA directive. Explanatory memoranda were submitted to the House of Commons Select Committee on European Legislation on 19 May 1993 and 10 January 1994. The Government will therefore be urging the Commission to concentrate on securing fuller implementation of the directive before introducing substantial new requirements.