§ Mr. JanmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how his Department defines(a) small, (b) medium and (c) large-scale users of refuse-derived fuel in terms of tonnes used per annum; and if he will outline the way in which derogation arrangements will affect each, over the coming years;
(2) if he will make a statement on the derogation arrangements that will apply for those industries proposing to use recycled, refined, refuse-derived fuel;
(3) if he will outline the derogation arrangements for refuse-derived fuel use over the next five years.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on derogation arrangements governing the use and development of refuse-derived fuels (RDF).
§ Mr. BaldryThe Department is preparing regulations to implement the EC directive on municipal waste incineration. The power to derogate for plant burning RDF will be included in these regulations, and the regulations will be subject to consultation.
Under the Environmental Protection Act it is proposed that Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will be responsible for the integrated pollution control of plants burning refuse derived fuel (RDF). In line with a commitment during the Committee stage of the Environmental Protection Bill, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is now drafting guidance specific to the burning of RDF including questions of derogation and plant size. Guidance will be published well in advance of existing RDF burning plant coming under control. The industry will be fully consulted in the production of this guidance.