§ Mr. BurgonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a risk-based system for the inspection of licensed waste management sites; and if he will make a statement. [128760]
§ Mr. MeacherFollowing the publication last year of the consultation paper on "Operator Pollution Risk Appraisal (OPRA) for waste," I am issuing revised guidance to the Environment Agency to enable the introduction of a risk-based system for the inspection of sites licensed under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
We must ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of in ways which protect the environment and human health. The site inspections which the Agency carries out are a vital part of this process. The new system will further improve standards by targeting inspections on those sites where they are most needed and making more effective use of the Agency's waste inspection resources.
It will also provide site licence holders with a risk management system which enables them to identify the environmental risks associated with their site and the operations they carry out; and to assess and improve the quality of their performance in managing those operations and their environmental risks. A copy of the revised guidance, which I am issuing to the Agency under section 35(8) of the 1990 Act, is being placed in the Library of the House.