HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 cc336-7W
Charlotte Atkins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made on implementing the EU Landfill Directive; and when he plans to inform the waste industry of the terms of the legislation to implement the Directive. [93619]

Mr. Meale

The EC Landfill Directive entered into force on 16 July 1999, and member states have two years to introduce the provisions necessary to comply with the Directive.

Work on implementation is progressing well; a consultation paper on the formal mechanisms for implementing the biodegradable municipal waste targets in Article 5 of the Directive will be published later in the summer, with the results being reflected in the final version of the Waste Strategy. The Government's proposals for implementing the other requirements of the Directive will be the subject of further consultations early next year.

Final decisions relating to the legislation required to implement the Directive will be made in light of these consultation exercises.