07 Oct 2010
Waste lawyers welcome a single diverse waste policy
Consultation on waste policy closes today
Today marks the closing date for responses to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) review of waste policies.
International business law firm Lawrence Graham LLP (LG) has issued a response to DEFRA's review of waste policies calling for one clear waste policy that gives clarity and certainty to all stakeholders involved in the waste management process.
Head of EU, Competition and Regulation Rosemary Choueka, said: "Our main focus in response to the DEFRA consultation on waste policies is to have one clear waste policy that would enable us to provide our clients with straightforward and consistent advice on waste issues."
"The current system is too complex and has been built up piecemeal over a long period of time where the English and European systems have been forced together creating confusion and unnecessary overlaps and contradictions."
In its response, LG argues that if each local authority is allowed to set and control its own waste policy, then this will cause confusion and discrepancies for waste operators and the general public from area to area. There are currently a number of organisations that have control/responsibility for waste including the government, DEFRA, EA, BIS, HSE, WRAP, EST, Carbon Trust and BREW, which all have overlapping responsibilities and need to be streamlined to create and control a simpler waste hierarchy.
" We would like to see a simplified and streamlined planning system for Energy from Waste facilities. Currently, progress is being halted within the planning process despite there being the finance in place and a real need for this type of facility," she added.
Tax and landfill are also addressed in the response.
Notes to editors:
LG's Waste practice group acts for a range of stakeholders in the waste hierarchy including local authorities, waste management contractors and landfill / recycling centre operators.
LG's Waste group is part of its strong Renewables sector, which combines recognised strengths in its expertise of real estate development, entrepreneurial growth services, capital raising and technology. The team's work extends from risk and regulation in managing the various consent regimes through project finance to capital markets, and technology supply and procurement.
For more information on DEFRA's Review of Waste Policies, please see the following website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-review/index.htm