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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

European Commission's Proposal for a
Sixth Environment Action Programme

Glenys Parry
Environmental Protection International
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Zone 5/F2
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6DE
Direct Line: 020 7944 6465 Fax: 002 7944 6249
E-Mail: glenys.parry@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to invite comments on the European Commission's proposal for a Sixth Environment Action Programme. The programme will set out the EU's environmental objectives for the next ten years. In particular, it focuses on areas where more action is needed and where European initiatives will make a difference. Four key priority areas have been identified, and the Commission proposes action to:

In addition to identifying priority areas the proposal also advocates a number of strategic approaches, which will help to improve environmental policy in many areas. In particular, the proposal outlines instruments and measures aimed at integrating environmental concerns into decisions made by government, business and consumers.

The UK Government broadly welcomes the proposal, and its emphasis on an improved, evidence-based policy process, effective implementation and enforcement, consultation and its appreciation of the need to consider the full range of options for delivering environmental objectives. The recognition of climate change and resource management as two of the most important environmental challenges of the next ten years is particularly welcome.

The Commission's proposal consists of two parts: a relatively long Communication and a shorter Decision accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum. Only the Decision will be subject to negotiation, whilst the Communication supports the Decision by outlining the thinking and analysis behind it. The Decision will have legal status but will not have direct regulatory impact and will not require transposition into UK law. Once it has been adopted under the Co-decision procedure by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, it will fall to the European Commission to bring forward proposals to the Council and European Parliament to implement the objectives set out in the Programme.

The document can be found by following the link at the end of this letter. Printed copies are available on request from Matthew Coyne at the above address (e-mail matthew.coyne@defra.gsi.gov.uk, telephone: 020 7944 6482). The deadline for comments is 18 May 2001.

Your response to this consultation document may be made publicly available in whole or in part. If you do not wish all or part of your response (including your identity) to be made public, you must state in the response which parts you wish us to keep confidential. Where confidentiality is not requested, responses may be made available to any enquirer, including enquirers outside the UK, or published by any means, including on the Internet.

Yours sincerely,
Glenys Parry

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Published 22 March 2001
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