Lord Bownessasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to review the policies described in the United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Earl Ferrers)The Government's policies on exports and imports of waste are set out in theUnited Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste, which was published on 16th May 1996 following a period of public consultation in 1995 which included consultation with Community Member States and the European Commission. The plan came into operation on 1st June and reflects the Government's long standing policy of self sufficiency in waste disposal and the well established principle of proximity, namely that waste should be disposed of in, or as close as possible to, the country of origin.
Since the plan was published, the Government of the Republic of Ireland, through its Department of the Environment, has made a formal request to the Government to allow the continuing export of a limited quantity of specified clinical waste until the end of 1997. This request follows the closure of all but one of the Republic's clinical waste incinerators in recent years as a result of the more demanding emission standards imposed by European legislation. The Government are minded to agree to the request from the Government of the Republic on grounds of public health and safety and in line with the proximity principle. This exemption would be in order to allow the Republic time to bring its own facilities for the environmentally sound disposal of these wastes on stream.
It has also become apparent that the plan requires clarification on one minor aspect. The plan bans most imports of waste for disposal, but exceptions are made under limited circumstances for mainly chemical wastes moving for high temperature incineration. Since publication of the plan, there have been differences in interpretation of the definition of high temperature incineration. The Government propose therefore to clarify the definition to ensure that only those wastes destined for high temperature incineration in general-purpose chemical waste incinerators are permitted in the limited circumstances allowed under the plan.
My department has therefore today published, for consultation, details of these proposed changes. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library of the House.