Environmental Council

Caroline Spelman Excerpts

Tuesday 6th March 2012 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman)]

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and I will represent the UK at the Environment Council in Brussels on 9 March.

At this Council, the presidency will seek legislative political agreement on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for the member states to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms in their territory.

The presidency will also conduct a legislative orientation debate on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE).

Ministers are expected to adopt non-legislative Council conclusions on: a road map for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050; the follow-up to the 17th session of the conference of the parties to the United Nations framework convention on climate change and the 7th session of the meeting of the parties to the Kyoto protocol (Durban, 28 November to 9 December 2011); and Rio+20: Pathways to a sustainable future.

The following topics will be covered under ‘any other business’:

Information from the presidency and the Commission on the outcome of the 12th Special Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GCSS 12/GMEF), Nairobi, 20-22 February 2012;

Information from the commission on ETS/aviation: state of play;

Information from the presidency and the commission on the convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (CLRTAP)—revision of the Gothenburg protocol: state of play;

Information from the Netherlands delegation on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles;

Information from the presidency and the commission on the European semester/annual growth survey—the way forward after the March European Council.