§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decisions were made at the March meeting of the European Council of Environmental Ministers on(a) the environmental appraisal of goods to be traded under the general agreement on tariffs and trade and (b) the EC birds directive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Council did not discuss the question of environmental appraisal of goods to be traded under GATT. The Council considered an amendment to the birds directive to clarify the arrangements for protecting birds. My right hon. Friend obtained important assurances that this proposal would not reduce the level of protection for birds and that scientific and conservation criteria would be866W used in implementing the proposal. The amendment will now be referred to the European Parliament for consideration.