Summary results from the BERCEN Exchange Programmes

Transcription

1 BALKAN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT NETWORK (BERCEN) Second Plenary Meeting September 15-16, 2003 Lake Ohrid, FYR Macedonia Summary results from the BERCEN Exchange Programmes This document is relevant to the agenda item 3 Description: This document includes the summary of two BERCEN exchange programmes. Action Required: The BERCEN National and Deputy Network Coordinators are invited to discuss the document for conclusion. The activities related to the strengthening of the SEE Environmental Enforcement Agencies and their Inspectorates are funded by the EC PHARE/OBNOVA Programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning of Croatia 1

2 Justification The First BERCEN Plenary Meeting considered an exchange programme as an excellent way to learn and exchange experience among BERCEN and IMPEL member countries. Exchange programmes have proven to be a useful way to improve capacity, exchange of experience, information sharing and cooperation among enforcement insitutions in IMPEL member countries. Funding The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway The first exchange programme was co-funded by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of Croatia First exchange programme - November 27-30, 2002, Brijuni Island, Croatia Second exchange programme - April 8-12, 2003, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria Time & Location Objectives Bring together the environmental inspectors from the BERCEN and IMPEL member countries for exchange of experience related to environmental enforcement and regulatory compliance Provide a forum for regional exchange of experience and information among the BERCEN and IMPEL member countries Enable the BERCEN member countries to improve the capacity to a level which will allow them to actively participate and contribute in the IMPEL projects Improve bilateral cooperation among the enforcement agencies in the region and beyond Scope The first exchange programme focused on integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC). The programme covered the experiences with an introduction of IPPC Directive, the role of the public in IPPC activities, training needs and cooperation among environment-related institutions in the context of implementation IPPC, etc. (See Annex 1 for detailed agenda.) The second exchange programme focused on minimum criteria for environmental inspections (2001/331/EC). The programme covered the experiences with minim criteria for environmental inspections, planning and frequency of inspections, on-site visits and accidents etc. (See Annex 2 for detailed agenda.) Both programmes were interactive consisting of presentations by experts from the BERCEN and IMPEL member countries, discussions, team assignments and site visits. Participants First exchange programme - about 40 participants from the BERCEN member and observer countries, and one expert from the Netherlands and Sweden Second exchange programme - about 40 participants from the BERCEN member and observer countries, and experts from Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Sweden and the Netherlands Results Experience related to environmental enforcement and regulatory compliance exchanged Enhanced distribution of information Improved capacity, knowledge and skills related to IPPC and minimum criteria for environmental inspections Strengthened bilateral cooperation in the region and beyond Outcomes Presentations made by the BERCEN member and observer countries, and IMPEL experts Evaluation reports Evaluation First exchange programme - the overall assessment, including the method, participation and presentations, for the day 1 was very good in average, and for the day 2 also very good, however the evaluation for day 2 was slightly better. (See Annex 3 for detailed evaluation results.) 2

3 Second exchange programme - participants goals/expectations were met very much (57% of participants), overall reaction was excellent and good (46% and 50%), the length of the program for absorbing the quantity of information was just right (75%), the number of presentations and activities planned was just right (78%), the quality of the presentations was excellent and good (36% and 50%), the satisfaction with the quality of the site visits varied (excellent 18%, good 35%, satisfactory 18%, poor 29%), an exchange program as a way to learn and exchange experiences was rated excellent (53%) (See Annex 4 for detailed evaluation results.) 3

4 Annex 1 1 st BERCEN exchange program for the environmental enforcement agencies and inspectorates November 27-30, 2002 Brijuni Island, Croatia Agenda DAY 1 (Tuesday, November 26) On-going Arrival Welcome cocktail Dinner DAY 2 (Wednesday, November 27) Registration Opening session Introduction speech by Slađana Miočić, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning, Croatia Welcome speech by Božo Kovačević, Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning, Croatia Welcome speech and introduction to BERCEN by Mihail Dimovski and Kristiina Soone, BERCEN Secretariat, The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Opportunities and benefits for a country being an IMPEL member country - The Role of IMPEL for the EU Member Countries Rob Glaser, the Netherlands Questions & Answers Experience with the exchange programmes - Nikolai Savov, Bulgaria Questions & Answers 4

5 Overview of Report on the Current Legal Structure and Resources Available to the Environmental Protection Agencies and Inspectorates in Croatia Anita Patekar Pokrovac and Gordana Pehnec Pavlović, Croatia Questions & Answers Introduction of Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) and the Questionnaire on the Implementation of the Directive developed by the IMPEL Rob Glaser, the Netherlands Lunch Experiences with an introduction of IPPC Directive in the AC IMPEL member country Pavlína Dvořáková, Czech Republic Existing training opportunities for environmental inspectors and their specific training needs in the context of implementation IPPC Boyko Malinov, Bulgaria Overview of the national permitting system Jasna Paladin Popović and Iva Milić Štrkalj, Croatia Challenges and achievements in the environmental protection- Special guest Zlatko Kramarić, Mayor of Osijek, Croatia Questions & Answers Welcome dinner DAY 3 (Thursday, November 28) Problems and solutions in the cooperation among environment-related institutions in the context of implementation IPPC Daniela Ioana Florea, Romania 5

6 Planning and reporting of inspections: gap analysis between the current situation and IPPC Directive (what is the current situation, what should be done, how, who, when) Vlasta Pasalic and Renata Sinovčević, Croatia Challenges of an on-site inspection in the context of implementation IPPC Rob Glaser, the Netherlands Lunch Understanding BAT in the context of implementation IPPC - Hans-Roland Lindgren, Sweden How to start with the implementation of IPPC Directive Pavlína Dvořáková, Czech Republic Special guest - Marijana Petir, Member of the Croatian Parliament Questions & Answers Special guest - Latinka Janjanin and Dušica Radojčić, NGO Green Istria, Croatia Questions & Answers Achievements of investing into capacity building and achievements reached in collaboration with the Inspection Division - Special guest Jadranko Garilović, TC Koromačno Preparation for the site visit next day 6

7 18.30 Dinner DAY 4 (Friday, November 29) Site visits Group 1 to Cement Factory Koromačno, Koromačno Group 2 to Thermo Electric Power Plant Plomin, Plomin Group 3 to Shipyard Uljanik, Pula Group 1, 2 and 3 to Waste Landfill Kaštijun near Pula Lunch in Pula Preparation of the feedback presentation on the site visit in working groups Feedback presentations on the site visit by the working groups Conclusions Recommendations for the next exchange program to the BERCEN Secretariat Farwell dinner Visit to national park DAY 5 (Saturday, November 30) Lunch Free time Dinner Departure Day (Sunday, December 1) Thank you for your contribution to the success of the first BERCEN exchange program and have a safe trip home! 7

8 Annex 2 Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria 2 nd BERCEN exchange program for the environmental enforcement agencies and inspectorates April 8-12, 2003 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria Agenda On-going Arrival Dinner ARRIVAL DAY (Monday, April 7) DAY 1 (Tuesday, April 8) Registration Opening session Welcome speech by Manoela Georgieva, Ministry of Environment and Water, Bulgaria Welcome speech by Mihail Dimovski, BERCEN Secretariat, the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Introduction by Kristiina Soone, BERCEN Secretariat, the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Strengths and weaknesses of the permitting system and enforcement process according to the Report on the Current Legal Structure and Resources Available to the Environmental Protection Agencies and Inspectorates in Bulgaria - Senior Expert, Bulgaria 8

9 Concept, purpose and scope of minimum criteria for environmental inspections recommended by the European Parliament and the Council on 4 April 2001 (2001/331/EC) Jean-Pierre Janssens, Brussels Institute for the Management of the Environment, Belgium Swedish experiences in the field of inspection and the Recommendation 2001/331/EC on minimum criteria for environmental inspections - Inga Birgitta Larsson, Environmental Protection Agency, Sweden Lunch Application of minimum criteria for environmental inspections in Bulgaria Senior Expert, Bulgaria based on the pre-prepared questions Inspection planning and frequency of inspections Rob Glaser, Tops Environmental Consultants, the Netherlands Explanation to the team assignment Team assignment Presentation of the results of the team assignment Welcome dinner 9

10 DAY 2 (Wednesday, April 9) Operator self-monitoring - Hans-Roland Lindgren, Environmental Protection Agency, Sweden on self-monitoring proposals for the planned site visit, self-monitoring conditions and reporting Legal and enforcement aspects of operator self-monitoring - Gerhard Gödl, Regional Government Styria, Austria Site visits with the focus on planned site visits - Rob Glaser, Tops Environmental Consultants, the Netherlands Video Team assignment 2 (for the site visits on day 3) Lunch Presentation of the results of the team assignment Reporting and conclusions following site visits - Rob Glaser, Tops Environmental Consultants, the Netherlands Country presentations on national reporting system on site visits, including also a reporting form Senior Experts from all BERCEN member and observer countries Dinner 10

11 DAY 3 (Thursday, April 10) Visits to companies in 3 teams and carrying out the team assignment 2: Sviloza - cellulose fibers facility - Seveso site Ideal Standard - mineral industry - IPPC site Boljarka Brewery and High Pro - poultry farm Visit to the Regional Inspectorate in Veliko Tarnovo Lunch Preparation for team presentations Team presentations Dinner DAY 4 (Friday, April 11) Introduction to Seveso II Directive and its practical application in Bulgaria - Nikolai Savov, Ministry of Environment and Water, Bulgaria and Johannes Mayer, Pre-Accession-Adviser, Austria The Major Accidents Hazards Bureau within the Joint Research Center of the European Communities: Mission, Services on behalf of DG Environment, Co-operation with countries for implementing Seveso II Directive Maureen Wood, JRC Experience with investigations of serious accidents, incidents and occurrences of noncompliance Ghislaine Guimont, BARPI, France Supplementary remarks by Emmet McMahon, Ireland and Johannes Mayer, Pre-Accession Adviser, Austria Examples of accidents and near accidents in Croatia, Yugoslavia and FYR Macedonia Senior Experts from respective countries 11

12 Lunch Rehabilitation of areas polluted by accidents and prevention of accidents caused by pollution in Albania (chemical factories left by owners), Romania (oil pollution by oil industry), Bulgaria (prevention of pollution and potential accidents caused by old and outdated pesticides) - Senior Experts from respective countries Reporting on environmental inspection activities in general according to the Recommendation VIII of 2001/331/EC, IMPEL Guidance on this recommendation and Finnish approach in application of this recommendation Marianne Lindström, Environment Institute, Finland Feedback on the meeting Farewell dinner DAY 5 (Saturday, April 12) Visit to Tsarevets, Kostantsieva House, Church Lunch in Arbanassi Preobrazhenski Monastery Dinner in Veliko Tarnovo On-going Departure DEPARTURE DAY (Sunday, April 13) Thank you for your contribution to the success of the 2nd BERCEN exchange program and have a safe trip home! 12

13 Annex 3 The first BERCEN exchange program for the environmental enforcement agencies and inspectorates November 27-30, 2002 Brijuni Island, Croatia Evaluation Rating 5 Excellent, 4 Very good, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor DAY 1 Objectives and content Method Presentation Participation Overall assessment 4,4 4,4 4,2 4,3 4,3 DAY 2 Objectives and content Method Presentation Participation Overall assessment 4,6 4,5 4,5 4,6 4,5 DAY 3 Site visits and reporting DAY 4 Visit to the national park Suggestions for improvement: 1) Keeping the planned time of agenda 2) More focused discussion topics 3) More time for discussions Identified ways to disseminate the infromation on IPPC in BERCEN countries: 1) Organization of seminars and workshops, also for different stakeholders 2) Establishment of information center 3) Dissemination of information on the Internet Identified topics for the next exchange program: 1) EIA 2) Seveso 3) MCIs (on-site visit) Identified work method for the next exchange program: 1) Preannounced homework for the participants 2) Simultaneous interpretation 13

14 Annex 4 2nd BERCEN exchange program for the environmental enforcement agencies and inspectorates April 8-12, 2003 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria 14