§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the decision taken by Environment Ministers of member states of the Organisation of African Unity, in Mali, on 29 January, to ban the import of hazardous and nuclear wastes into Africa; and if he has discussed the implications of the OAU decision with his counterparts in the European Environment Council.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 7 February 1991]: The Government respect the decision of any country to ban the import of hazardous and nuclear waste and oppose in the strongest terms the export of such wastes to African and other developing countries. EC directive 84/631, as amended, prohibits the export of hazardous wastes from the European Community unless the country of destination gives its consent and the recipient disposal facility operates without risk to human health and the environment. The directive has been implemented in Great Britain by the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988. Nuclear wastes are not exported from the United Kingdom to Africa or to any other destination, except that in respect of post-1976 reprocessing contracts it is intended to return to the country of origin the waste component which may result from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. The OAU decision has not been discussed in the EC Environment Council.