HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 c229W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards implementing the European Union Landfill Directive; and if she will make a statement. [174230]

Mr. Morley

With the exception of an issue linked to the infraction proceedings on the exclusion of agricultural waste from national waste controls, all requirements of the Landfill Directive have been implemented in the whole of the UK. In line with usual procedures, the European Commission has been informed of this situation.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress on implementing the European Union Landfill Directive. [175579]

Mr. Morley

With the exception of an issue linked to the infraction proceedings on the exclusion of agricultural waste from national waste controls, all requirements of the Landfill Directive have been implemented in the whole of the UK. In line with usual procedures, the European Commission have been informed of this situation. In addition, for England and Wales, Regulations implementing Council Decision 2003/33/EC on waste acceptance criteria were laid before Parliament on 18 May. The Council Decision expands on the Landfill Directive's requirements and must be implemented in national law by 16 July 2004.

Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish a revised draft version of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (England) Regulations 2003; and when the final regulations will be laid before Parliament. [173963]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 19 May 2004]: The outcome of the consultation on the Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme was published on the Defra website (www.Defra.gov.uk) on 11 May. The intention is to lay the Regulations before Parliament in early June.