§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much waste was imported for use in cement kilns in each of the last 10 years. [142262]
§ Mr. MeacherThe estimated quantity of hazardous waste imported into the United Kingdom from 1997 to date for use as fuel in cement and lime kilns is as follows:
Tonnes 1997 3,580 1998 2,932 1999 8,209 2000 7,150 Final figures for 2000 will not be available until the summer of 2001 since, under European law, the kilns have 180 days following receipt of the waste to provide the UK regulatory authorities with a certificate of recovery confirming the actual quantity of waste used as a fuel.
Accurate information about imports solely for cement kilns, rather than for cement and lime kilns can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information about waste burnt imported for burning at such facilities before 1997 is not available since the UK regulatory authorities do not hold such data.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what emission standards are applicable to cement kilns and high temperature incineration plants. [142259]
§ Mr. MeacherProcesses subject to Directives 89/369/EEC and 89/429/EEC on the reduction of air pollution from municipal waste incineration plant, and 94/67/EC on the incineration of hazardous wastes are required to comply with the emission limits set out therein. Other processes subject to Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) are expected to achieve the benchmark emission standards set out in the Environment Agency's published guidance notes in accordance with BATNEEC. Benchmark emission standards for cement works are set out in the Agency's IPC Guidance Note S2 3.01, and for incinerators in Guidance Note S2 5.01. Where hazardous waste is burned in cement kilns, the processes must comply with the terms set out in the Hazardous Waste Incineration Directive. Specific emission limits have been set for each plant and are stated in individual authorisation, which can be obtained from the public registers located at the relevant local Environment Agency or local authority office.
2W
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend planning regulations to require a planning application to be submitted when composition of materials to be burnt in cement kilns is modified significantly. [142263]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe modification of the composition of materials to be burnt in cement kilns would not, in itself, constitute a change of use for which planning permission would be needed. We therefore have no intention to amend the planning system to require a planning application in such cases.
Any proposal to burn a modified composition of fuel will, however, require the operator to submit an application for a variation to their authorisation where they are regulated under the Integrated Pollution and control regime. If the variation is significant, the Environment Agency must consult with interests parties prior to its determination.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tonnage of hazardous waste was disposed of in cement kilns and high temperature incineration plants in each of the last 10 years. [142260]
§ Mr. MeacherThe estimated quantity of hazardous waste disposed of in cement and lime kilns, and high temperature incinerators from 1997 to date are set out in the table.
Tonnes Quantity in cement and lime kilns Quantity in high temperature incinerators 1997 51,895 126,978 1998 131,325 123,646 1999 117,937 117,996 Final figures for 2000 will note be available until the summer of 2001 since, under European law, both types of facilities have 180 days following receipt of imported hazardous waste to provide the UK regulatory authorities with a certificate of disposal or recovery confirming the actual quantity of waste handled.
Accurate information about waste disposed of in cement kilns, rather than for cement and lime kilns can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Any information about waste disposed of at these facilities prior to 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost, since the UK regulatory authorities are not required to hold data for previous years.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the locations of cement kilns and high temperature incinerators in the UK; [142257]
(2) what tonnage of emissions there were for each cement kiln and high temperature incineration plant per year in each of the last 10 years; [142261]
(3) if he will list the cement kilns with combustion-emission monitoring equipment in place. [142265]
§ Mr. MeacherA list of 15 cement kilns and 64 high temperature incinerators1, including three merchant high temperature incinerators, has been placed in the House Library. All of the cement kilns listed have equipment in 3W place for monitoring emissions to air. Reported emissions from each site are publicly available on the Environment Agency's Pollution Inventory for each year since the site was authorised under Integrated Pollution Control. IPC was phased in during the early to mid 1990s. The Pollution Inventory can be accessed on www.environment-agency.gov.uk. Details of emissions prior to authorisation under IPC are not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
1 All processes listed under Chapter 5.1 of the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations SI1991/No.472.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list emission limits applicable to plants burning fuel. [142266]
§ Mr. MeacherPlant burning fuel which are subject to regulation under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 are required to use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC) for preventing the release of harmful substances; where that is not possible emissions must be minimised and rendered harmless.
Plant burning fuel listed under Chapter 1.3, Part A, of the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations SI1991/No.472 are expected to achieve the benchmark emission standards set out in the Environment Agency's published guidance notes in accordance with BATNEEC. Benchmark emission standards for combustion processes are set out in IPC Guidance Note S3 1.01, for combustion plant. Specific emission limits are set for each plant and stated in individual authorisations which can be obtained from the public registers located at the relevant local Environment Agency or local authority office.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow the export of hazardous waste from the UK. [142264]
§ Mr. MeacherThe legally binding UK Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste currently prohibits all exports of waste for disposal. This approach is consistent with longstanding UK policy that developed countries should be self-sufficient in waste disposal. Consistent with the UN Basel Convention, exports of hazardous waste for recovery are permitted only to OECD countries and Liechtenstein.
This summer the UK Government went out to consultation on revised UK export and import policies. The consultation paper proposed an exception to the current prohibition on exports for disposal in two tightly defined circumstances:
- (a) to allow exports from Northern Ireland to Ireland for disposal so long as such movements are consistent with local waste management plans being drawn up under Northern Ireland's waste strategy; and
- (b) to allow exports to other EC member states and countries covered by the European Free Trade Area for trial runs. This is to allow UK companies to evaluate waste management processes in the EU and help decide whether or not to import the technology into the UK.
The consultation paper proposed no change to UK policy on exports of hazardous waste for recovery.
4WThe Government are currently considering responses to the consultation exercise.