§ Mr. BurgonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when regulations providing for the phasing out and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls will be laid before Parliament. [119432]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 were laid before Parliament today.
They require holders of PCB contaminated equipment to register with the Environment Agency and, subject to certain specific exemptions, for PCBs and associated equipment to be disposed of by the end of December this year. The agency will also have responsibilities in relation to monitoring and enforcement.
The Regulations will have the effect of curtailing release of PCBs, and so lowering their concentrations in the environment, including in relation to sea mammals, in which PCBs have been found in significant quantities.