SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 2Improving the natural environment: Northern Ireland

PART 1Environmental improvement plans

I1I22Annual reports on environmental improvement plans

1

The Department must prepare annual reports on the implementation of the current environmental improvement plan.

2

An annual report must—

a

describe what has been done, in the period to which the report relates, to implement the environmental improvement plan, and

b

consider, having regard to any data obtained under paragraph 5, whether the natural environment has, or particular aspects of it have, improved during that period.

3

Annual reports on an environmental improvement plan must relate to—

a

the 12 month period beginning with the day on which the plan is published, and

b

each subsequent 12 month period.

4

An annual report must be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly before the end of the 4 month period beginning immediately after the last day of the period to which the report relates.

5

The Department must publish annual reports laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly under this paragraph.