last updated 21st October 05
By 4ecotips

Big boost to quality of rivers and contaminated land

UK Environment Minister Elliot Morley has given his backing to ten new British projects that will see groundbreaking technology developed to boost recycling, improve the quality of our rivers and restore contaminated former industrial land.

Out of 89 EU-wide projects, ten will be led by Britain, the most ever approved for the UK. In total, £36m will be injected to develop new technology and approaches to protect and enhance the environment in the UK, including some £9.4m from an EU fund.

The European Union's LIFE-Environment (the Financial Instrument for the Environment) programme, which is open to all EU countries, aims to contribute to the EU's environment policies by helping to bridge the gap between initial research and development and practical implementation of new technology and approaches.

Elliot Morley said: "Business, universities and local councils can make an important contribution in developing new technology and methods to help us boost the amount of material we recycle and improve the quality of our local environment. But often such new and innovative solutions need a helping hand to reach their full potential. This is the aim of the EU's Life programme which Defra fully supports.

"I am delighted that British innovation is taking a lead in Europe and am sure that these projects will make an important contribution in helping us meet our environmental challenges."