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Coming home to a greener Scotland
21/01/2009
Minister for the Environment Michael Russell will this evening deliver 'The Immortal Memory' at the European Parliament's prestigious Burns Supper in Brussels.
Earlier today Mr Russell attended the European Parliament's Environment Committee, which was addressed by the Czech Environment Minister, Martin BursÍk, on behalf of the rotating EU Presidency.
The Minister also met with Scotland's MEPs while visiting the European Parliament, and Ian Marchant, chief executive of Scottish & Southern Energy.
Mr Russell then called on Hilde Crevits, Environment Minister in the Flemish Government, for a short bi-lateral meeting.
Speaking ahead of the Burns Supper, which takes place on World Burns Night, and raises money for charity through sponsorship from Scottish businesses, Mr Russell said:
"This is the year of Homecoming, when the Scots diaspora will be invited back home to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Burns. It promises to be a special year for all with an affinity with Scotland.
"Burns has been celebrated world wide almost since his death. Lincoln and Lenin were both Burns fans and the enthusiasm of ordinary people has resulted - again and again - in enormous celebrations on special anniversaries.
"In 1859 - a hundred years after his birth - there were national and international events including a huge poetry competition. The first Burns Festival had already been held, some fifteen years earlier in Alloway and Burns clubs and Burns Suppers - including the toast to the Immortal Memory - had been on the calendar since the start of the century.
"2009 will be another big year, celebrated in our distinctive way. Burns has been a passion and an inspiration for more than two centuries. Now in these difficult times we must makes sure that he guides people home and helps Scotland to celebrate and share our contribution to the world.
"Of course Burns was a farmer, and food and farming remain central to our identity and our culture. He was also a man much in love with the countryside and the year of Homecoming should encourage people to rediscover our wonderful landscapes, our wide range of wildlife and our improving environment - all of which are at the heart of our world wide green reputation.
"But we cannot rest on our laurels. There is much we still have to do to be worthy of that reputation. We have already taken decisive action to tackle the amount of waste and litter we produce, set tough targets for retailers to cut plastic bag use, and started to roll out millions of pounds to help communities reduce their carbon footprint. We're doing even more in 2009 with pioneering initiatives on travel, waste and energy.
"We are also at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change. If passed, our Climate Change Bill will mean Scotland has the most ambitious climate change legislation anywhere in the world."
There are over 300 events taking place across Scotland from this weekend to St Andrew's Day 2009. Homecoming Scotland 2009 fits with, and will contribute to, Scottish Government's aspiration to grow tourism by 50 per cent by 2015.