HL Deb 25 October 1999 vol 606 cc10-1WA
Lord Howie of Troon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the Environment Council on 12 October. [HL4381]

Lord Whitty

My right honourable friend the Minister for the Environment represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 12 October. One common position was agreed along with three sets of Council conclusions.

A common position was reached on a Council decision for co-operation in the field of accidental marine pollution. While Community action in this area has existed since 1978, this decision establishes a new framework, updating and consolidating the existing arrangements for co-operation between member states. In particular, co-operation will be promoted in five key areas: exchange of information (through a Community information system); training; pilot projects; a Community task force; and international co-operation. It will also create a system of linked web sites to provide public access to information on member states' response arrangements.

Council conclusions agreed on climate change set out in the EU's negotiating position for the Fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Bonn later this month, as well as noting the need for further action by member states and the Community towards meeting their Kyoto targets.

Through conclusions the Council also endorsed the voluntary agreements negotiated by the Commission with Japanese and Korean car manufacturers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. Along with the agreement with European car manufacturers secured last year, these will reduce average carbon dioxide emissions from new cars by at least 25 per cent by 2009.

Six Councils are due to deliver strategies or reports to the Helsinki European Council in December on integrating environment concerns into their policy areas. Council conclusions on integration and sustainable development were agreed to contribute to this process. These called for consideration to be given to the need for an overall EU sustainable development strategy which would complement individual sustainable development strategies all member states were charged with preparing at the Rio Summit.

The Presidency is hoping to make progress on four draft air quality directives. A first ministerial discussion was held on two—one setting national emission ceilings on emissions of air pollutants that cause acidification, euthrophication and ground level ozone formation and the other target values for ozone in ambient air. An oral report on a third setting limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air was also given, on which the Presidency indicated it wishes to reach a common position in December.

The Council also received a report from the Commission on the latest developments on the Biosafety Protocol, preparing for a resumed negotiating session on the protocol next January.