Written question asked by Derek Wyatt (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 December 1998. It was answered by Alan Meale (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 December 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will prohibit the use of PVC waste for synthetic riding surfaces and its importation for such purposes.

Answer: Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will prohibit the use of PVC waste for synthetic riding surfaces and its importation for such purposes. [61485] Mr. Meale: The import and export of waste are governed by European Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259-93, the `waste shipments' Regulation. PVC is included on the Regulation's Green list of wastes which do not require prior authorisation when traded for recovery, providing they are not contaminated with hazardous substances. There is no evidence that either clean, uncontaminated PVC waste or recovered PVC products are harmful to human health or the environment. There are therefore currently no plans to prohibit the import of such waste or products recovered from it.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 61485; 321 c182W
Session: 1998-99
EC documents: REG(EEC)259/93
Subjects: Health hazards Imports Recreation spaces Plastics Sportsgrounds Waste Polyvinyl chloride