Publication of the new Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Jonathan Shaw, Defra Minister, announced in Parliament the publication of a new Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Strategy replaces the previous version of 2000 and its addendum of 2003. The new Strategy sets out a way forward for work and planning on air quality issues; sets out the air quality standards and objectives to be achieved; introduces a new policy framework for tackling fine particles; and identifies potential new national policy measures which modelling indicates could give further health benefits and move us closer towards meeting the Strategy's objectives.

The Strategy is published in 2 volumes. Volume 1 comprises the main policy document and Volume 2 presents the scientific and economic evidence base and regulatory impact assessment. These documents are supported by Volume 3 - An Economic Analysis to inform the Air Quality Strategy: updated Third Report by the Interdepartmental Group on Costs and Benefits.

Copies of the Minister's statement and the Strategy documents plus further supporting papers are available on Defra web at the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/strategy/index.htm