§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many new policy proposals or significant changes in policy were produced by her Department in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; how many of these were screened for their environmental impacts; and how many were the subject of separate environmental appraisals. [185108]
§ Mr. MorleyAll Defra's new policy proposals or changes in policy which were likely to have a direct or indirect impact (whether benefits or cost) on business, charities and the voluntary sector were the subject of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs). In accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, these were required to416W include the full range of potential impacts on all stakeholders, including environmental impacts where relevant. Separate environmental appraisals were not required. All completed RIAs were published on Defra's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ria/ default.htm.
In 2002–03, 26 RIAs were published on Defra's website. Of these nine included consideration of environmental impacts. However in the other 17 the policy assessed was considered not to have significant environmental impacts, indicating that environmental appraisal would not have been necessary. This is in accordance with departmental guidance. In 2003–041,41 RIAs were published on Defra's website, and 21 included consideration of environmental impacts. A further 18 were considered not to have significant environmental impacts.
1http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economics/appraisal/ index. htm