§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of(a) the effect of the European Commission's Strategy for a future chemicals policy on the future competitiveness of the UK's chemical industry and (b) the level of UK skilled resource required to implement the strategy; and if she will make a statement. [87022]
§ Mr. MeacherThe overall aim and approach set out in the Commission's White Paper of February 2001 on a strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy are supported by the Government.
In May 2001, the Government prepared a preliminary regulatory impact assessment (RIA) of the proposals in the European Commission's White Paper. A revised 726W RIA will be required when proposals for the European Commission's legislation are available. As well as considering the benefits and costs of the proposals in detail, the RIA will include an assessment of the implications of the proposed legislation for the international competitiveness of the UK chemicals industry and other manufacturing sectors that use chemicals in their processes and products.
The Government and Devolved Administrations have agreed a position statement on the New European Chemical Strategy, a copy of this is in the House Library and can be found on the Defra web site at www.defra.gov.uk. The result of this additional work will need to be taken into account before developing a final view.