DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Food and Regional Affairs) Essay

DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Food and Regional Affairs) - Essay Example Defra works in control and management of air quality across the United Kingdom. On 17 July 2007 the UK Government and local administrations published the latest Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This made it possible to move forward on air quality standards and the objectives that need to be achieved, including new policy framework for tracking fine particles and identifying new national policy measure for air quality in the UK and improved health for its citizens. Recently in August 2008 a Consultation on the UK report regarding plans for the country to comply with the European Union(EU) standards. Plans were submitted for meeting the EU ambient air quality limit values. The Air Quality Framework directive(1996/62/EC), where limit values plus a margin tolerance are exceeded, member states must produce plans and programs to show compliance within a required timescale, no later than two years after the end of the end of the year that the exceeded values were observed. The consultation document concerned exceeded values for nitrogen dioxide in certain areas of the UK for the calendar year of 2006. Local authorities have statutory duties for local air quality management(LAQM) under the environment act of 1995. They are required to carry out review and assessments of air quality according to the standards and objectives in the national Air Quality Strategy. Regulations for monitoring air quality have been established with, The Air Quality Standards Resolution 2007 No.64, The Air Quality Limit Values (Amendment) Regulations 2004-2000. Pollutants monitored and regulated include, Benzene,1,3-Butadiene, Carbon Monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide, PM10, Sulphur Dioxide. Besides local regulating bodies many consulting groups providing guidance on the protection of Air Quality, these include the Air Quality Expert Group, Air Quality Forum, Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards and