The Minister was speaking from Brussels today where he became the first Northern Ireland Environment Minister to attend the EU Environment Council meeting.
The Minister wants much better engagement with Europe on environmental issues and feels there are much more opportunities to influence policy and secure more monies by working together with Environment Ministers from the devolved administrations on the European stage.
The meeting was attended by Environment Ministers from all the EU Member States who discussed and agreed the way forward on key issues in relation to EU policy on climate change and the environment.
Speaking from the Justus Lipsius in Brussels Minister Attwood said: "Europe is a big part of NI politics – arguably more on environment issues than any area of public policy. That is why it was important that a local DOE Minister attended an Environment Council meeting for the first time. Indeed, it is the first time that all five Environment Ministers from these islands have attended a Council Meeting. Moreover, the fact that my Environment colleagues in Edinburgh and Cardiff are together shows that all three devolved governments are becoming more assertive in Europe and with the London Government.
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"The evidence of this is that the issue of genetically modified crops (GM) was on the Council agenda. There may be a difference between the London view and the “devolved view” on GM. London must heed the views of Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh going forward.
"I have other clear ambitions. First, we have simply not done well enough in accessing EU funds. There is a €50 billion fund for research and innovation (FP7) – where we lag far far behind Dublin in securing funds. In two years, the new FP8 Fund will be €80 billion. I have been pushing DOE to see where new funds could be accessed, to build the NI profile on environmental research and innovation. Attending the Council and meeting with senior EU officials will help to work through how the DOE and government can get into gear on all of this.
"Second, NI can be a world leader in renewables, the green agenda and carbon reduction. To do so, we need to live up to our green and clean credentials. Knowing the EU system and its key staff will help keep us right, live up to standards and avoid fines.
"Third, there are particular issues where EU may offer advice and information - like the Strangford mussel - where infraction proceedings may be imminent - and fracking where the knowledge of EU can help us ensure environmental standards are faithfully lived up to."
(CD/GK)
