Environment Joint Communiqué 20 October 2010
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NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENT SECTORAL FORMAT
NSMC JOINT SECRETARIAT OFFICES, ARMAGH
20 OCTOBER 2010
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The eleventh meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Environment sectoral format was held in Armagh on Wednesday, 20 October 2010.
2. The meeting was attended by Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of the Environment, John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and Conor Murphy MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development. Minister Poots chaired the meeting.
ENVIRONMENT SECTORAL FORMAT
NSMC JOINT SECRETARIAT OFFICES, ARMAGH
20 OCTOBER 2010
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The eleventh meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Environment sectoral format was held in Armagh on Wednesday, 20 October 2010.
2. The meeting was attended by Edwin Poots MLA, Minister of the Environment, John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and Conor Murphy MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development. Minister Poots chaired the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING AND RESEARCH
3. The Council received a joint presentation on environmental research by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ministers welcomed the proposed actions in a number of areas including; exploration of mechanisms to align ongoing work and/or co-fund; essential research in priority areas; data management and sharing; joint working by EPA and NIEA to enhance sharing of experience and knowledge between regulators and researchers in both jurisdictions; and the development of application for joint EPA and NIEA headline project.
4. It was also reported that the Northern Ireland Central Statistics and Research Branch (CSRB) on behalf of NIEA and EPA have commenced work to develop a common set of environmental indicators including a web-based approach to presentation and publication of a short statistical bulletin.
5. Ministers noted that the EPA and NIEA are working together to access funding for priority environmental research under the Seventh Framework (FP7), Interreg and LIFE+ programmes and welcomed the proposal by NIEA and EPA to develop a candidate research project to be advanced for EU funding during 2011.
3. The Council received a joint presentation on environmental research by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ministers welcomed the proposed actions in a number of areas including; exploration of mechanisms to align ongoing work and/or co-fund; essential research in priority areas; data management and sharing; joint working by EPA and NIEA to enhance sharing of experience and knowledge between regulators and researchers in both jurisdictions; and the development of application for joint EPA and NIEA headline project.
4. It was also reported that the Northern Ireland Central Statistics and Research Branch (CSRB) on behalf of NIEA and EPA have commenced work to develop a common set of environmental indicators including a web-based approach to presentation and publication of a short statistical bulletin.
5. Ministers noted that the EPA and NIEA are working together to access funding for priority environmental research under the Seventh Framework (FP7), Interreg and LIFE+ programmes and welcomed the proposal by NIEA and EPA to develop a candidate research project to be advanced for EU funding during 2011.
CROSS BORDER MOVEMENTS OF WASTE
6. Ministers received a report on progress on the repatriation of illegally dumped cross-border waste. They welcomed the successful removal of waste from the site at Slattinagh, Co Fermanagh and the commencement of work and good progress made to date at the second site near Trillick, Co Tyrone. It was noted that it is planned to commence work on the remaining 18 sites following an evaluation of the work conducted on the two priority sites.
7. Ministers welcomed the continuing joint concerted enforcement actions to target shipments of waste and noted that future action is planned.
6. Ministers received a report on progress on the repatriation of illegally dumped cross-border waste. They welcomed the successful removal of waste from the site at Slattinagh, Co Fermanagh and the commencement of work and good progress made to date at the second site near Trillick, Co Tyrone. It was noted that it is planned to commence work on the remaining 18 sites following an evaluation of the work conducted on the two priority sites.
7. Ministers welcomed the continuing joint concerted enforcement actions to target shipments of waste and noted that future action is planned.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
8. Ministers received an update on the Waste Framework Directive and noted that regulations are being taken forward in both jurisdictions for the transposition of the Waste Framework Directive.
9. They noted progress in developing a resource management approach to waste management which included the launch of the £5m Rethink Waste Capital Fund in Northern Ireland and the new waste policy statement which is at public consultation stage in Ireland.
10. Ministers welcomed progress on the work programme of the North South Market Development Steering Group and noted the inclusion of Northern Ireland in the Plastic Arisings study.
8. Ministers received an update on the Waste Framework Directive and noted that regulations are being taken forward in both jurisdictions for the transposition of the Waste Framework Directive.
9. They noted progress in developing a resource management approach to waste management which included the launch of the £5m Rethink Waste Capital Fund in Northern Ireland and the new waste policy statement which is at public consultation stage in Ireland.
10. Ministers welcomed progress on the work programme of the North South Market Development Steering Group and noted the inclusion of Northern Ireland in the Plastic Arisings study.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
11. The Council welcomed the publication of River Basin Management Plans in both jurisdictions. A North South Working Group on Water Quality will oversee coordinated implementation of the plans including a joint document, ‘Working Together, Managing Our Shared Waters’, which will accompany the river basin management plans.
11. The Council welcomed the publication of River Basin Management Plans in both jurisdictions. A North South Working Group on Water Quality will oversee coordinated implementation of the plans including a joint document, ‘Working Together, Managing Our Shared Waters’, which will accompany the river basin management plans.
NEXT MEETING
12. The Council agreed to meet again in Environment sectoral format in March 2011.
12. The Council agreed to meet again in Environment sectoral format in March 2011.
Joint Secretariat
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
