§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations are currently in force to control and prevent the importation of waste for direct landfill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe import of hazardous waste for any kind of disposal is controlled through the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988. Under these regulations, shipments of hazardous waste must be pre-notified to the disposal authority who have certain powers of objection. But, the import of waste for direct landfill cannot be prevented where the waste presents no danger to animal or plant health.
However, the Government have made clear their view that the transfrontier shipment of waste for direct landfill is generally not justified. We are seeking powers in the Environmental Protection Bill which would allow the prohibition of imported wastes where this is necessary either to prevent risk of pollution or harm to human health, or in order to conserve facilities or resources for dealing with waste.