My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Ed Miliband) represented the UK at the Environment Council in Brussels on 2 March.

Member states adopted council conclusions on the further development of the EU position on a comprehensive post-2012 climate agreement as a contribution to the spring council. These covered mitigation, the role of the carbon market, adaptation to the effects of inevitable climate change, financial support, technology co-operation and capacity building, and international climate change governance.

On genetically modified organisms (GMOs) the Commission’s proposals were rejected and the Austrian and Hungarian safeguards on GM-maize lines MON810 and T25 were endorsed.

Member states also discussed the proposed industrial emissions directive, which consolidates and amends several pieces of industrial emissions legislation, including the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) Directive. The UK broadly welcomed the Commission proposal, but had concerns about the large combustion plant provisions, seeking necessary flexibilities. The UK raised concerns about setting widespread minimum requirements and extending the scope to smaller combustion plants and to additional poultry installations.

The council also adopted a council decision on whaling ahead of the next three annual and inter-sessional meetings of the International Whaling Convention (IWC). The decision sets out the EU’s position with regard to proposals for amendments to the International Convention on Regulation of Whaling and its schedule to be taken at the next three annual meetings of the IWC.

Finally, Ministers adopted council conclusions on the contribution to the spring Council (non-climate change). The conclusions cover the European economic recovery plan, sustainable consumption and production, environmental technologies, natural resources, biodiversity, beyond GDP and better regulation.

Under “any other business” member states exchanged views on the fall in demand for recyclate materials, underlining the importance of maintaining public confidence in recycling and flagging the need for further Commission monitoring, analysis and, if necessary, action.