§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his policy on other EU states exporting hazardous waste to the United Kingdom, with particular reference to mercury; what representations he has made in the last three years to other members states that they should treat such waste in their countries; and what measures he proposes to encourage other EU states to pursue a policy of dealing with their own waste material; [16224]
(2) what evaluation he has made of the incentives applying to countries who currently export hazardous waste to (a) become self-sufficient in dealing with hazardous waste and (b) develop suitable technology to effectively treat and render harmless hazardous waste. [16229]
§ Mr. AtkinsIt has been the Government's policy since the 1990 environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", that developed countries should become self-sufficient in disposing of their own waste. The United Kingdom negotiated successfully for the principle of national self-sufficiency in waste disposal to be incorporated into the EC waste shipments regulation—259/93.
The Government have long made clear their intention to implement as far as possible national self-sufficiency in waste disposal. This policy aim is pursued in the draft management plan for imports and exports of waste, which has recently been the subject of public consultation and copies of which are in the Library. In particular, the draft plan proposes banning most imports of waste for disposal, except where the importing competent authority is satisfied that the exporting country does not have, and cannot reasonably acquire, the facilities to dispose itself of the wastes in an environmentally sound manner.
733WAll EC member states are required to implement Council directive 75/442/EEC, as amended, on waste. This requires member states to take appropriate measures to establish an adequate network of disposal installations, to enable the Community as a whole to become self-sufficient in waste disposal and the member states to move towards that aim individually.
The UK and other EU states became parties to the Basel convention in 1994. Parties are under the general obligation to minimize the generation and transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, and to ensure the provision of adequate disposal facilities within their territory.