Waste Imports to the UK (Hansard, 14 July 1988)

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)
My Lords, there has indeed been an increase in the amount of waste we import, but the latest complete figures for 1986 show that imports were less than one-half of 1 per cent. of waste generated here.

§ Lord Gregson
My Lords, is the Minister aware that landfill sites for waste disposal are becoming scarce in the most critical areas of the country where there is a maximum amount of waste for disposal? Is it not the case that the vast increase in such waste from overseas means, at the end of the day, that British industry and the British taxpayer will have to pay considerably more for the disposal of waste by the more expensive means of incineration and other methods of disposal?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, not all landfill sites are suitable for the disposal of such waste and those which are are unevenly distributed throughout the country. As regards imported waste, in 1986 we imported 53,000 tonnes of special waste and about 130,000 tonnes of non-special waste. I understand that for 1987 the importation of special waste was between 70,000 and 80,000 tonnes and non-special waste was down to about 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes. Our figures arc not complete at this stage. However, on those figures there has been a reduction since 1986.

§ Lord Lucas of Chilworth
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that doubts have been expressed recently as to the content of some of the waste material imported? Is he satisfied that the Hazardous Waste Inspectorate, which comes under his department, is sufficiently adequate both numerically and technically to deal with what is becoming an increasing problem?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his question, but I believe that it represents a misapprehension. It is up to the waste disposal authorities, which are by law the bodies responsible for the disposal of waste, to check waste which is deposited in landfill sites under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution acts as auditor to the waste disposal authorities.

§ Lord Parry
My Lords, will the Minister give the House information about the Government's attitude to landfill projects? In light of the fact that in many states in the USA landfill projects are banned, what effect will that have on the waste disposal industry in Great Britain?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, if landfill projects are carried out in a proper manner, as we believe they are in this country, it is environmentally safe and beneficial for that process to be continued. However, we shall continue to watch the matter carefully. If there is evidence that the methods which we are using need to be altered, we shall do so.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, is my noble friend satisfied as to the safety of disposal of ordinary wastes in this country? I am referring in particular to the danger of a build-up of methane gas, bearing in mind that at least one serious explosion has taken place in this country.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, waste disposal authorities have responsibility for monitoring wastes. I have received this week a further report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate concerning the incident to which the noble Lord refers. We shall take action on that matter if necessary.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, does the Minister recall that on 17th May he promised that we should have the new regulations on the transportation of hazardous waste before the Summer Recess? Can he say whether they are available, and will the House have them before the Recess? Has the Minister read the fourth chapter of the third report of the Hazardous Waste Inspectorate in which it expresses grave disquiet about imported waste, and not least about the labelling of canisters, which leaves much to he desired? Do the Government intend to take further steps to improve the labelling of imported canisters?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, we intend shortly to introduce regulations on the trans-frontier shipment of hazardous waste. I apologise for the fact that they have not been put before Parliament sooner. As regards labelling of canisters, we are discussing that matter with other government departments.

§ Lord Kennet
My Lords, will the Minister tell the House whether American standards for landfill waste disposal are tighter than British standards? Presumably they are. Otherwise, why would a large country seek to send its waste to a much smaller one? If American standards are higher, why is it all right for British standards to be lower?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I understand that there is not much difference between the standards. The methods of disposal used in America may be slightly different. The noble Lord asked a previous Question concerning importation of hazardous waste from America. I am now able to update my Answer. As I understand it—my information is sketchy at this stage as I received it only this morning the application for the site in Cheshire has been withdrawn.

§ Lord Mowbray and Stourton
My Lords, as regards the possibility that American standards for waste disposal may be higher—and I declare an interest as a member of Lloyd's—is my noble friend aware that we are finding, 30 years on, that seepages are a great cause of worry to many people in Lloyd's?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, if there are seepages, it causes a great deal of worry to all of us. That is why we take the matter seriously.

§ Lord Parry
My Lords, will the Minister accept that certain states in the USA have already banned landfill projects? As a result, great ships are touring the seas of the world looking for places to dump American rubbish. It is the effect of that rubbish on the water table which gives the greatest cause for concern.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the result depends on how a site is filled and the geological structure of the land. As the House will be aware, landfill sites in the Netherlands are particularly difficult to use because of the high water table.

§ Lord Carter
My Lords, is the Minister aware that a large number of serious diseases of animals and plants which have been eradicated in this country are still endemic in many other countries? Does he agree that it is vital for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to use its statutory powers vigorously to ensure that there is no risk to animal and plant health in this country from the importation of domestic and other waste from overseas?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Carter, raised a very important point. If waste is to be imported it is first up to the waste disposal authority to decide whether or not it wants to import that waste. It is then up to MAFF to ensure that the waste is up to the standards that we require and that no plant or animal produce is imported illegally. Final regulatory powers are available to the Secretary of State for the Environment under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

§ Lord Lucas of Chilworth
My Lords, given the exchanges across your Lordships' House, will my noble friend now answer the question which I asked him? That was: given the present concern with regard to waste is he satisfied that the Hazardous Waste Inspectorate— not the pollution inspectorate—is numerically and technically strong enough to deal with this increasing problem?

The Earl of Caithness
Yes, my Lords. We keep not only the numbers of staff but also the finance available to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution carefully under review. As your Lordships will have seen from the reports they have produced, they are up to a very high standard.

§ Lord Gregson
My Lords, the Minister has recently announced details of legislation to be introduced by the Government to amend the waste disposal law, which is important for the control of imported waste. Is the Minister aware that some of those amendments 926 to the law were promised seven years ago in response to the report of the Select Committee, and will he say when that legislation will he introduced into the House?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the noble Lord is absolutely right. There is a need for that legislation. We have announced the terms of the legislation but unfortunately I cannot give him a date as to when we shall be able to introduce it.