The British-Irish Council’s 13th Environment ministerial meeting was held on 15th October in Douglas, Isle of Man. The meeting was hosted by Hon Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food & Agriculture, Isle of Man Government; and chaired by Dan Rogerson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Water, Forestry, Rural Affairs and Resource Management, UK Government.

BIC Ministers discussed the benefits of the “circular economy” on their jurisdictions, with moves to re-using, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products locally. Minsters also considered the business opportunities available to individuals and firms with such a move and the need to upskill to best take advantage of these new business opportunities.

BIC Ministers also discussed the barriers to consumers switching to green products and considered way in which to enhance the information available to consumers. Ministers also received an updated on the bio-security  work they commissioned at the 12th ministerial meeting held in Scotland in September 2012.

Read the full communiqué.