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Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 18 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 October 2007. It was answered by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Waste Disposal

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what specific actions the Waste Strategy Board is undertaking to ensure the adequacy of biological treatment infrastructure in order to meet targets in waste strategy 2007.
Answer

The Waste Strategy Board has been established to drive forward and monitor delivery of Waste Strategy 2007 targets across Government. The board will develop new policy actions to achieve Waste Strategy objectives as necessary and in light of progress made in specific areas.The Waste Strategy sets out measures that the Government have put in place to secure the investment in infrastructure needed to divert waste from landfill. This includes working with Communities and Local Government to take forward specific aspects of the strategy, including planning.It remains vital that regional spatial strategies and local development documents look forward and make adequate provision for the appropriate types and scales of infrastructure and waste treatment facilities needed, including biological treatment plants. It is also important for specific, suitable sites to be identified in plans.DEFRA's Waste Implementation Delivery Programme (WIDP) is maintaining a national overview of existing and planned residual treatment capacity to ensure that resources are applied in the most effective manner.DEFRA's New Technologies Demonstrator Programme aims to demonstrate innovative waste treatment technologies as possible alternatives to landfill. The programme aims to prove the economic, social and environmental viability of each selected technology, half of which are biological treatment technologies. Each site will have a visitor centre, which will be open throughout the plant's participation in the programme. These will enable representatives from local authorities and the waste sector to learn more about the particular strengths and weaknesses of each technology.As mentioned in the Waste Strategy 2007, DEFRA is also considering ways to raise public awareness of the options and issues relating to waste management infrastructure, including biological treatment plants. The aim is to provide evidence-based information which will aid public comprehension of the options. Communications activity is tentatively planned for early 2008.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
465 c726-7W; 160357
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Waste disposal Waste management
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk