When it expects to announce details and a timetable for the Strategic Environmental assessment of its policies, as outlined in the Programm…

We are closely involved with the development of the EU Directive on this matter which was discussed at the EU Environment Council which I attended in Brussels earlier this week. Many of the key elements of strategic environmental assessment will be taken forward by my Ministerial Group on sustainable development about which I shall make a fuller statement to Parliament in the New Year.The Council reached a common position on a proposal for a Directive for the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (commonly known as Strategic Environmental Assessment). This would seek to provide a high level of protection of the environment and through integration of environmental considerations into plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. This Directive is compatible with our Programme for Government commitment to introduce strategic environmental assessment for our Government programmes. We succeeded in ensuring that the scope of the proposed Directive is as clearly defined as possible.Two other common positions were reached. On a proposal for a second air quality Daughter Directive which will set limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air to ensure a high level of protection for human health. We supported this proposal whose limit values are close to the targets we have already set in the UK's draft Air Quality Strategy. Also, on a proposal for a Council recommendation to set minimum criteria for inspection tasks carried out at Member State level to ensure consistent application and enforcement of Community environmental legislation. The criteria were accompanied by guidance on ways in which their practical application could be monitored by Members States. We supported the proposal which will enable Scotland to continue a risk-based approach to inspections, raising the standard of environmental inspections whilst ensuring bureaucracy is minimised.Council conclusions were agreed on the Global Assessment of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme (which has been the framework of EU environmental policy over the last six years) and a set of Headline Indicators. The Assessment will inform the development of the Sixth Environment Action Programme which will set out the environmental priorities over the next decade. We conveyed our view that the Sixth Action programme should set future environmental policy within a wider context, where environmental, social and economic objectives are pursued in a mutually reinforcing way.A progress report was considered on the proposed National Emission Ceilings Directive which aims to limit emissions of acidifying and eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors, by setting national emission ceilings (NECS) not to be exceeded after 2010.Finally, the Council received a Commission report on a chemicals strategy, following a review of the existing EU regulatory framework which has become increasingly complex. The aims of the strategy are to maintain a high level of protection of human health and the environment, to raise the confidence of the public in chemicals management and to ensure compliance with the regulations of the internal market. A Communication will be presented next summer setting out the options for a new comprehensive regulatory system and, to ensure a smooth transition, to speed up the current system for assessing chemicals currently in use.