Waste shipments

The European Parliament's environment committee today voted on proposals to revise EU rules on waste shipments. The Greens welcomed the vote on the legislation, which is being shepherded through parliament by Green MEP Bart Staes, parliament's rapporteur/draftsman. After the vote, Bart Staes said:

"Recurring scandals on the dumping of hazardous waste in developing countries have underlined the need to tighten up EU rules. The overarching goal should be to prevent illegal waste shipments and the damage to human health and the environment that they cause. We cannot continue dumping our waste problems on the doors of poorer countries, which lack the means for properly treating such waste. Today's vote is an important step forward towards this goal.

"EU member states have been dragging their feet on implementing EU rules on waste shipments, with up to 25% of waste shipments contravening these rules. Today's vote would ensure member states are obliged to make comprehensive and publicly-accessible inspection plans, with an appropriate minimum number of physical checks in line with the risk of illegal waste shipments. Enforcement would also be stepped up, with better control possibilities for member states and better cooperation between them, such as exchange of information. This will not only help prevent the potentially devastating consequences of illegal waste shipments, it is also in member states financial interest. We hope the legislation will now be swiftly finalised on the basis of today's vote."