§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take action to ban all waste disposal methods and industries which produce dioxins; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 21 January 1991]: Waste incineration is the main identifiable industrial source of dioxins. It is also an important waste disposal option which reduces the pressure on landfill disposal. Emissions of dioxins can however be reduced to levels at or below the level of detection if efficient combustion and abatement is achieved. That is the aim of present controls on the industry in the United Kingdom, including the provisions of the European directives on municipal waste incineration plants.