Statement by the Chairman of the Nordic Council Environment Committee

Asmund Kristoffersen

Chairman of the Nordic Council Environment Committee,

Chair of the RSPC Working Group on Eutrophication (2006-2007, August)

Member of the Norwegian Parliament

Chairman, Ministers, Head of Delegations,

I have parliamentary support from all the Baltic Sea States when I now take the floor as the chairman of the Nordic Council Environment Committee and Chairman of the BSPS Working Group on Eutrophication.

There are many short term interests to take into account when agreeing on the Baltic Sea Action Plan. We try to live an up-side down version of Darwin’s theory: we try to adapt the environment to suite us, and not adapt ourselves to the environment. We have been successful in that for centuries, but the signs are clear that the environment will not adapt to us.

The development of the action plan started with high ambitions for the marine environment. .Step by step we have weakened the action plan to where we are now.

I will, therefore, remind you that you have strong political support from all parliamentarians of the Baltic Sea States for introducing detailed and strict measures in this Action Plan. This is a signal and a chance which you should take. Don’t hesitate to be a bit more courageous.

Thank you for your attention.