Kramer quizzes Shaw re nitrogen oxides

11.57.43am GMT Sun 14th Sep 2008

• [Sep 10]: Susan Kramer (Cabinet Office; Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of a UK derogation from the nitrogen oxide provisions of the EU Air Quality Directive; … …

. . whether he plans to meet the European Commission to discuss the matter; and if he will make a statement.

R Shaw (Parliamentary Under-Secretary ((Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs) and Minister for the South East), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Chatham & Aylesford, Labour): The UK is working to meet ambient air quality limit values in the shortest time possible. The UK Air Quality Strategy provides full details which can be found on the DEFRA website. The nitrogen dioxide limit values are extremely challenging and current projections indicate that despite these efforts, the UK, like most other member states, expects to report breaches beyond the 2010 compliance deadline. Subject to a full public consultation, the Government will therefore need to use the provision in the new Ambient Air Quality Directive which gives the possibility of a further five years to meet the limit values.

A successful application to the European Commission will need to demonstrate how compliance with the limit values will be achieved by 2015. The Government, with the devolved administrations, are currently working to establish the extent and nature of the measures that will be required. In the meantime, my officials are working closely with other member states and the European Commission in taking this issue forward.