HC Deb 28 April 2004 vol 420 c1015W
Mr. Dhanda

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she will take to enable more rapid action against fly-tipping. [168016]

Mr. Morley

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 gave powers to local authorities, allowing them to stop, search and seize vehicles suspected of fly-tipping. It also gave the Secretary of State the power to request fly-tipping data returns from waste collection authorities and the Environment Agency (the Agency). The national database, Flycapture, was launched on 5 April 2004 for this purpose, and a notice in writing was issued to all waste collection authorities and the Agency. A clearer national picture of fly-tipping will form a more robust evidence base informing future policy decisions, at a national and local level.

The Fly Tipping Strategy was published for consultation on 23 February 2004. The Strategy builds on previous legislative changes and aims to extend the tools available to the authorities in the prevention and enforcement of fly-tipping.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of St ate for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's fly tipping strategy. [168084]

Mr. Morley

The Fly Tipping strategy was published for consultation on 23 February 2004. The consultation period ends on 14 May 2004. Comments received will be analysed and responses will be mad publicly available.

The strategy proposes a range of measures to help tackle the problem of fly-tipping and encourage effective enforcement alongside pro-active preventative policies.