EU Environment Council

Rory Stewart Excerpts

Wednesday 15th June 2016 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Rory Stewart)]

I will attend the EU Environment Council in Brussels on 20 June, along with my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate Change (Lord Bourne).

Following adoption of the agenda, the list of “A” items will be approved.

Under legislative activities the Council will debate a proposal to reform the EU emissions trading system. The presidency will provide a state of play report on the ongoing negotiations with the European Parliament to agree the national emissions ceiling directive.

Under non-legislative activities, the Council will aim to adopt Council conclusions on the EU action plan for the circular economy and the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking. They will also discuss a Council statement on the ratification of the Paris agreement.

The following items are due to be discussed under any other business:

a) NO_x emissions by diesel cars

b) Recent international meetings:

i) High-level meeting (Montreal, 11-13 May 2016) and preparations for the ICAO assembly (Montreal, 27 September to 7 October 2016)

ii) Second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme (Nairobi, 23-27 May 2016)

iii) Eighth Environment for Europe ministerial conference (Batumi, Georgia, 8-10 June 2016

c) REACH forward priorities for effective regulation (Brussels, 1 June 2016)

d) High-level meeting “Make it Work” (Amsterdam, 4 April 2016)

e) Communication on environmental implementation review

f) Global amphibian deaths—combatting the fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) infecting salamanders and newts in the EU

g) Informal meeting of the Environment and Transport Ministers (Amsterdam, 14-15 April 2016)

h) Endocrine disruptors

i) Work programme of the incoming presidency

[HCWS42]