§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the status of(a) the EU and (b) the UK regarding the European Environmental Liability Directive. [168085]
§ Alun MichaelFollowing the Council common position in September and the European Parliament's second reading in December, the Council and the Parliament reached agreement on an amended draft. The Council and the Parliament have since adopted the Directive, as amended, at their respective third readings. The Government supported the common position and the agreement reached with the Parliament, both of which delivered our key objectives. When it comes into force, member states will have three years to implement the Directive which will be published in theOfficial Journal shortly, when it will come in to force.
The Government have begun consideration of the implementation of the Directive.