§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the next stages towards implementation of the European Union Directive on Batteries (2003/0282 CD); when these are likely to take place; and what steps they are planning to take to implement domestic battery recycling to meet the targets laid down. [HL3503]
§ Lord Sainsbury of Turville:The Government have issued a consultation document seeking views from stakeholders on the Batteries Directive proposal by 5 August 2004. These views will be taken into account as negotiations on the proposal continue within the European Council over the coming months. Collection and recycling targets have yet to be agreed, and it is unlikely that negotiations will be completed until 2005.
The Government have been actively involved in a pilot battery collection scheme in Bristol involving key stakeholders and are in discussions about establishing other schemes elsewhere. Domestic battery recycling facilities are also likely to be established in the UK.