Water Framework Directive and Devolved Coastal Management Strategies (Hansard, 28 January 2002)

§ Lord Whitty

It is the responsibility of the devolved administrations to ensure consistency between the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in their areas and the development of wider coastal policies, taking account of the interests of the diverse range of sectors involved. The Inter-Departmental Group on Coastal Policy, which is chaired by DEFRA and made up of officials from the key Whitehall departments and devolved administrations, meets to share information on policies and projects that affect the coast. Co-ordination of transposition and implementation work on the Water Framework Directive at UK level is achieved through regular meetings of steering groups involving the devolved administrations, DEFRA and other departments.

The Marine Pollution Monitoring Management Group is working to co-ordinate between agencies in all administrations in the UK the monitoring of contaminants and their effects on biota and biodiversity in coastal waters, including the coordination of classification, typology and monitoring required under the Water Framework Directive.

Integration of policies in the marine environment will be a key theme throughout the forthcoming Marine Stewardship Report.