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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposals by China for stricter controls on imports of waste materials; and whether they intend (1) to propose changes to rules for recycling collections or treatment; (2) to take action to seek new markets for UK waste; (3) to initiate or encourage investment in new or improved facilities for recycling or otherwise disposing of waste materials in the UK; (4) to seek changes to the composition and use of packing materials, plastics, and other materials that contribute to non-food waste.

We recognise the concerns that the recycling industry has around these measures by China. Officials from Defra, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Department of International Trade (DIT) have been working with industry representatives to understand the expected impact of these measures, provide comment to China’s Environment Ministry and develop our response to the situation. The UK supported by a number of other EU Member States raised China’s failure to observe the notification requirements under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) with the European Commission. We also asked clarification on the scope of the proposed ban to help businesses prepare for the changes.

It is for the Chinese authorities to set their own standards to protect the environment and public health and we must respect their decisions. In the longer term, new markets for UK recycling may need to be found, whether abroad or in the UK. We see this as an opportunity to develop internal market capacity.