§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy 623W towards the EU landfill directive, EC draft 6692/97; and when he expects the explanatory memorandum will be published. [9916]
§ Angela EagleA draft directive was published on 5 March. An interim explanatory memorandum was produced on 15 April. A full explanatory memorandum will be supplied to the scrutiny committees in the next few days.
The Government welcome the draft directive's main objectives: the stringent application of high environmental standards across Europe, and a reduction in methane emissions from landfill sites. However, the draft directive also contains proposals, including one for limits on the landfilling of biodegradable waste, which imply a substantial change in UK waste management practice. It is of particular concern, therefore, that there has been no detailed assessment by the Commission of the cost implications for those member states which, like the UK, have a heavy reliance at present on landfill as a means of disposal.
The Government would prefer that the directive focus more on the shared objective of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and less on prescribing detailed means to achieve that end. The Government will also be keen to ensure that rules on landfill management are stringent and are evenly applied across Europe, and that the directive does not hamper efforts to improve sustainability of waste management in this country.