1st EPA Network plenary meeting, Copenhagen

A first meeting of heads of national EPAs, the Executive Director of EEA and representatives of the European Commission was held in 2003 as a first step in establishing a network to facilitate high-level dialogue on critical issues surrounding environmental policy implementation.

It was agreed that the establishment of such a network would contribute to the development of more effective implementation through sharing of and solutions. The network is to complement the IMPEL network (for Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law).

Four top priority topics for discussion were identified by the EPA network:

• environmental impacts of agriculture
• performance evaluation of institutions and organizations
• environmental damage
• subsidiary

The EPA network also had discussions on the implementation of various directives, best practice and lessons learned. It was agreed that the network should continue to meet every six months.