§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 22 and 23 June. [33218]
§ Mr. GummerI represented the UK at the Environment Council in Luxembourg held on 22 and 23 June. Agreement was reached, subject to a parliamentary scrutiny reserve, on four key measures.
I was able to support the common position the Council reached on the proposal for integrated pollution prevention and control. This measure follows a UK initiative and will lead to an integrated approach to pollution control decisions taking into account emissions to all environmental media. Overall, the directive will raise environmental standards across Europe and help to provide a level playing field for UK industry.
There was a short discussion of the proposal for a directive on ambient air quality assessment and management and a common position was agreed unanimously. I joined colleagues from all member states in welcoming the proposed directive which will help to tackle the problems of air pollution across Europe and is in line with existing UK practice.
A common position was also achieved by unanimity on the proposal for the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances—amended Seveso directive. The proposal closely reflects UK philosophy and practice.
The Council reached a common position unanimously on a new regulation to replace the existing Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species measures. I welcome the regulation which will require all member states to control trade in endangered species more effectively. The Council also agreed to a UK proposal to 221W retain the existing 1981 regulation banning commercial imports of whale products.
Agreement was also reached on Council conclusions on the follow-up to the Berlin conference of the parties to the climate change convention. I made it clear during the discussion that the UK continued to oppose a mandatory EU wide carbon energy tax. There were discussions on many other issues, including the disposal of disused oil installations, motor vehicle emissions and the proposal for a directive on the ecological quality of water.