Ireland's Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, has welcomed the agreement on a new Environment Action Programme (EAP), the flagship legislative priority for the Irish Presidency. The new EAP sets out the priority objectives for EU environment policy to 2020, grounded in an ambitious longer-term vision for an inclusive, green and competitive European economy that safeguards the environment. The agreement will guide and drive actions in advancing resource efficiency, the green economy and the environmental agenda generally in the period to 2020 and beyond.

The 7th Environment Action Programme: 'Living well, within the limits of our planet', builds on the achievements of previous programmes which have been a key vehicle for advancing environmental improvements in the European Union. Agreement was reached with the European Parliament on a programme to transition Europe towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon and environmentally-friendly economy in which natural capital is protected and enhanced, and citizens' health and well-being are safeguarded.

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The Programme sets out a framework to support the achievement of nine priority objectives through development and better implementation of EU environment law, state of the art science, securing the necessary investments in support of environment and climate change policy, and improving the way that environmental concerns and requirements are reflected in other policies.

It also aims to boost efforts to help EU cities become more sustainable, and improve the EU's capacity to meet regional and global environment and climate challenges.

The Programme gives citizens, businesses and policymakers the long-term view needed to make the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon society in Europe.

In welcoming the agreement, Minister for Environment Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, said: "The 7th Environment Action Programme will bring obvious benefits for citizens through a cleaner and more resilient environment, greener and more sustainable economic growth and the creation of associated decent jobs. The Programme will also benefit consumers through the availability of expanded ranges of green products and clearer, more informative labelling on products.

"As the EAP proposal was only published in late November last year, bringing it over the line during our Presidency was always going to be a formidable challenge. I am delighted that we were able to accomplish this in such as a short time frame and I would like to acknowledge the cooperation and assistance from Member States, the Commission and the European Parliament in helping to make this agreement possible."

(CD/JP)