Waste Management

(asked on 7th December 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to prevent the stockpiling of waste in the event that the UK and EU do not reach an agreement on their future relationship at the end of the transition period.


Answered by
Rebecca Pow Portrait
Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This question was answered on 15th December 2020

The Government has been planning a number of contingency measures in the event of disruption at ports. In the event of disruption, our immediate focus is to keep waste away from the affected ports and instead closer to points of production. Our primary objective is to protect human health and the environment and waste holders are legally expected to manage waste to achieve that aim in line with waste regulations and legislation.

We are working closely with local authorities and the waste industry to ensure the continued provision of key waste services. People who commit a waste-related crime remain liable to prosecution. We all have a role to play in keeping our environment clean and people must work together to support their communities during this challenging time. We expect all waste operators to adhere to their permits. We are encouraging businesses who export waste to consider and continue to plan alternative options in case of disruption at borders. Permits and licences will still apply and the waste industry is expected to meet the high standards of protection for people and the environment and work to sound waste management practices.

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