§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to consult non-governmental organisations about the interpretation and implementation of the Water Framework Directive. [88433]
§ Margaret BeckettWe are currently consulting on our proposals to give legal effect to the Directive. This includes proposals covering the public participation requirements of the Directive in Article 14. This is our second consultation and a third is planned for 2003. The Environment Agency have also, at our request, been carrying out consultation on various technical issues relating to the Directive.
In June 2001, we set up a forum for key stakeholders to discuss issues relating to the Water Framework Directive and water policy in general. Its membership covers a wide range of interests, including the environment, the water industry, agriculture, the countryside and industry. At its first meeting, the group agreed that it would have three main purposes: to provide input to Government thinking on transposition of the Water Framework Directive; raise issues of concern to the group relating to implementation of the WFD; and provide input into development of a longterm strategy for water.
In addition, Defra set up an interactive electronic stakeholder forum a year ago, with the aim of capturing a wider range of stakeholder views about the water environment. Ideas from this forum were directly reflected in our document on future priorities for water policy, "Directing the Flow", published last month.
Beyond that, Defra has played an active role in a wide range of stakeholder conferences and seminars organised by other organisations, where stakeholders 344W have got together to discuss specific aspects of water policy, in many of which the Water Framework Directive was a prominent issue.
Defra officials and Ministers have also had a large number of bilateral meetings with stakeholders on water policy issues.
Finally, the Government regulatory agencies (Environment Agency, English Nature, Ofwat) have had a large number of meetings themselves with stakeholders on water policy and the Water Framework Directive.