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EU Bio-waste Directive
Sue Doughty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which stakeholders the Government have (a) consulted and (b) plan to consult on proposals for an EU Bio-waste Directive; and if she will make a statement. [125124]
Mr. Morley:
The Government discussed the EU Working Document on Biological Treatment of Bio-waste with interested parties when it was published in 2000. We will consult stakeholders formally when a draft Directive is produced, which is not expected until 2004.
EU Committees
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on certificates of specific character for agricultural products and foodstuffs, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House. [110302]
Mr. Bradshaw:
The EU committee on certificates of specific character for agricultural products and foodstuffs does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European member states.
The Committee has met only once since January 2002, on 22 July 2002, to discuss amendments to the current Commission regulation setting out the detailed rules for the administration of the scheme. These discussions are continuing.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, the decisions it has made since January 2002 and the means used to communicate these decisions to the House. [110489]
Mr. Bradshaw:
The EU committee on geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European member states. Since 17 April 2003, delegates from the 10 EU accession states have also been invited to attend meetings.
The Committee has met on the following dates since January 2002: 9 April 2002, 16 May 2002, 22 July 2002, 5 February 2003, and 4 June 2003. It discusses a range of issues relating to the operation of the scheme as well as particular applications such as whether or not feta cheese should be registered as a Protected Designation
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of Origin. The Committee also considered the implications of Judgments from the European Court of Justice relating to Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Any legislative proposals are submitted to Parliament under established scrutiny procedures and are considered and reported on by the House of Lords European Union Committee, the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland. This happened in the case of the proposal to register feta cheese.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Standing Veterinary Committee, the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, the decisions it has made since January 2002 and the means used to communicate these decisions to the House. [110495]
Mr. Bradshaw:
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), which was known as the Standing Veterinary Committee prior to March 2002, has met 46 times between 1 January 2002 and 7 July 2003. The meetings are attended by veterinary and technical experts from all Member States, Norway, Iceland and, more recently, Accession States. The Chief Veterinary Officer is the official representative for the UK although a deputy usually attends in his place.
The agendas cover a wide variety of animal and public health issues. The Committee can adopt secondary legislation in the form of Commission Decisions and Regulations. Most Decisions are adopted to address immediate but routine disease or contamination problems within the EU or in non EU countries and it is therefore not appropriate to communicate such decisions to the House. There have, however, been rare occasions since January 2002 where issues before the Committee have been subject to Parliamentary Scrutiny.
Full reports of SVC and SCoFCAH meetings including details of the decisions can be viewed on the Commission website. The addresses are:
www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/svc/index en.html
and www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scfcah/ahaw/index en.html
EU Constitution
Mr. Wiggin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of the proposed European Constitution upon the UK's environmental policy; and if she will make a statement. [126763]
Mr. Morley:
The Convention's proposals would have no direct effect on the UK's environment policy, and would leave environmental policy at EU level largely unchanged. Environmental matters handled at EU level would generally continue to be subject to co-decision
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with the European Parliament and to Qualified Majority Voting within the Council of Ministers. The draft of the new treaty prepared by the Convention on Future of Europe for discussion at the Inter Governmental Conference this Autumn retains the key provisions of the current treaties that refer to the environment and to the need for environmental protection requirements to be taken into account in other Community policies with a view to promoting sustainable development.
The UK is also opposed to the proposal to establish a Single Legislative Council. This would weaken the direct involvement of the Environment Ministers in policy formation as well as in negotiating environmental legislation.
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EU Directives
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126589]
Mr. Bradshaw:
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs plays a leading role in the UK's EU policy on the environment , agriculture, fisheries, animal and plant health. Since 8 June 2001, this Department has led on the implementation of 76 directives. The following table shows the directives implemented during the period.
Details of all directives implemented can be found on the Eur-Lex database available on the European Union's website.
Directive number | Directive name | Policy area | Date agreed | Actual UK
|
1991/338/EEC | Amending for the 10th time Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations | Env | 18 June 1991 | 28 April 2003
|
1996/061/EC | Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control | Env | 24 September 1996 | 6 March 2003
|
1996/062/EC | Ambient air quality assessment and management | Env | 27 September 1996 | 19 July 2002
|
1997/049/EC | Conversation of wild birds | Env | 28 July 1997 | 20 December 2001
|
1997/078/EC | Laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries | Agri | 18 September 1997 | 6 December 2002
|
1997/079/EC | Organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries | Agri | 18 December 1997 | 6 December 2002
|
1998/058/EC | Protection of farmed animals | Agri | 6 April 1998 | 27 November 2001
|
1998/083/EC | Drinking Water Directive | Env | 3 November 1998 | 20 December 2002
|
1998/095/EC | Genetically modified plant varieties | Agri | 14 December 1998 | 25 February 2002
|
1998/096/EC | Unofficial field inspections | Agri | 14 December 1998 | 25 February 2002
|
1999/008/EC | Marketing of cereal seed | Agri | 18 February 1999 | 15 November 2001
|
1999/022/EC | Keeping of wild animals in zoos | Env | 29 March 1999 | 22 April 2003
|
1999/030/EC | Limit Values for sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen and lead in ambient air | Env | 22 April 1999 | 1 August 2002
|
1999/032/EC | Sulphur content of certain liquid fuels | Env | 26 April 1999 | 1 March 2002
|
1999/051/EC | Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (tin, PCP and cadmium) | Env | 26 May 1999 | 10 April 2003
|
1999/054/EC | Marketing of cereal seed | Env | 26 May 1999 | 1 November 2001
|
1999/071/EC | Fixing of maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 14 July 1999 | 25 February 2002
|
1999/072/EC | Protection against zoonoses | Agri | 29 July 1999 | 11 June 2001
|
1999/074/EC | Protection of laying hens | Agri | 19 July 1999 | 3 September 2002
|
2000/015/EC | Amending Council Directive 64/432/EC on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine | Agri | 8 May 2000 | 6 September 2002
|
2000/020/EC | Animal health products affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals | Agri | 16 May 2000 | 25 February 2002
|
2000/024/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 28 April 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/027/EC | Control of fish diseases | Agri | 2 May 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/029/EC | Protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants products and against their spread within the community | Agri | 8 May 2000 | 6 September 2002
|
2000/037/EC | Veterinary medicinal products | Agri | 5 June 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/042/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 22 June 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/048/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 5 July 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/049/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 26 July 2000 | 17 August 2001
|
2000/050/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 26 July 2000 | 17 August 2001
|
2000/057/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 22 September 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/058/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 22 September 2000 | 28 February 2002
|
2000/080/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 4 December 2000 | 25 February 2002
|
2000/081/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 18 December 2000 | 25 February 2002
|
2000/082/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 20 December 2000 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/010/EC | Scrapie | Agri | 22 May 2001 | 17 August 2001
|
2001/018/EC | Deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms | Env | 12 March 2001 | 14 March 2003
|
2001/021/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 5 March 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/028/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 20 April 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/032/EC | Recognising protected zones exposed to a particular plant health risks in the Community and repealing Directive 92/76/EEC | Agri | 8 May 2001 | 28 February 2002
|
2001/033/EC | Organisms harmful to plants | Agri | 8 February 2001 | 28 February 2002
|
2001/035/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 11 May 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/036/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 16 May 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/039/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 23 May 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/047/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 25 June 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/048/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 28 June 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/049/EC | Placing plant protection products on the market | Agri | 28 June 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/057/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 25 July 2001 | 25 February 2002
|
2001/064/EC | Marketing of fodder plant seed and cereal seed | Agri | 31 August 2001 | 5 March 2003
|
2001/081/EC | National emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants | Env | 23 October 2001 | 10 January 2003
|
2001/082/EC | Community code relating to veterinary medicine products | Agri | 6 November 2001 | 31 March 2003
|
2001/091/EC | Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (hexachloroethane) | Env | 29 October 2001 | 30 June 2003
|
2001/099/EC | Amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market to include glyphosate and thifensulfuron-methyl as active substances | Agri | 20 November 2001 | 22 October 2002
|
2001/103/EC | Amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market to include 2,4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid( 2,4-D) as an active substance | Agri | 28 November 2001 | 22 October 2002
|
2001/109/EC | Statistical surveys to be carried out by Member States to determine potential of certain species of fruit trees | Agri | 16 January 2002 | 15 May 2002
|
2002/005/EC | Amending Annex II to Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables | Agri | 30 January 2002 | 1 September 2002
|
2002/008/EC | Minimum conditions for examining vegetables and agricultural residues | Agri | 6 February 2002 | 12 April 2002
|
2002/018/EC | Amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market to include isoproturon as an active substance | Agri | 22 February 2002 | 22 October 2002
|
2002/023/EC | Fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively | Agri | 26 February 2002 | 19 September 2002
|
2002/028/EC | Protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the community | Agri | 19 March 2002 | 24 September 2002
|
2002/029/EC | Amending Directive 2001/32/EC as regards certain protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the community | Agri | 19 March 2002 | 24 September 2002
|
2002/031/EC | Energy labelling of household air conditioners | Env | 22 March 2002 | 14 March 2003
|
2002/033/EC | Amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 92/118/EEC as regards health requirements for animal by-products | Agri | 21 October 2002 | 30 June 2003
|
2002/037/EC | Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include ethofumesate as an active substance | Agri | 3 May 2002 | 6 March 2003
|
2002/040/EC | Commission Directive 2002/040/EC implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household electric ovens | Env | 8 May 2002 | 14 March 2003
|
2002/042/EC | Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues | Agri | 17 May 2002 | 11 April 2003
|
2002/048/EC | Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include iprovalicarb, prosulfuron and sulfosulfuron as active substances | Agri | 30 May 2002 | 6 March 2003
|
2002/062/EC | Adapting to technical progress for the ninth time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on marketing and use of (organostannic compounds) | Env | 9 July 2002 | 14 March 2003
|
2002/063/EC | Establishing community methods of sampling for the official control of pesticides residues in and on products of the plant and animal origin and repealing Directive 79/700/EEC | Agri | 16 July 2002 | 7 April 2003
|
2002/064/EC | Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include cinidon-ethyl, cyhalofop butyl, famoxadone, florasulam, metalaxyl-M and picolinafen as active substances | Agri | 15 July 2002 | 7 April 2003
|
2002/066/EC | Amending the Annexes to Directive 76/895/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticides residues in and on fruit and vegetables | Agri | 16 July 2002 | 11 April 2003
|
2002/071/EC | Non Transposition of Directive 2002/71/EC: Fixing of maximum levels for pesticides residues(fromthion, dimethoate and oxydemetonmethyl) | Agri | 19 August 2002 | 11 April 2003
|
2002/076/EC | Incineration of waste | Agri | 6 September 2002 | 11 April 2003
|
2002/079/EC | Non Transposition of Commission Directive 2002/79/EC amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticides residues | Agri | 2 October 2002 | 15 April 2003
|
2002/081 /EC | Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include flumioxazine as an active substance (Plant Protection Products) | Agri | 10 October 2002 | 7 April 2003
|
2002/097/EC | Amending the annexes to council directives 86/362/EEC.86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC Fixing of maximum levels of pesticide in cereal and foodstuff in products of animal and plant origin | Agri | 16 December 2002 | 15 April 2003
|
2002/100/EC | Maximum residue levels in azoxystrobin | Agri | 20 December 2002 | 15 April 2003
|
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