Memo: Preparation Environment Council, 2 March 2009

The first Environment Council under the Czech Presidency will take place in Brussels on 2 March. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will represent the European Commission. The Council will hold a public debate on streamlining legislation governing industrial pollution, and aims to adopt conclusions on climate change and put forward contributions on a number of other issues to the Spring European Council meeting later in March. It will consider proposals to repeal safeguard measures by Austria and Hungary on the cultivation of genetically modified maize varieties. Ministers are also expected to reach an EU position on whaling.

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