Written question asked by Robert Jackson (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when and how the Government informed the European Commission of its intention to postpone the attainment of the targets set out in Article 5.2 of the Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste.

Answer: Mr. Robert Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when and how the Government informed the European Commission of its intention to postpone the attainment of the targets set out in Article 5.2 of the Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste. [89274] Mr. Meacher: Under the terms of the Landfill Directive, those member states who are to make use of the derogation to postpone the attainment of the reductions in the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste targets by a period not exceeding four years shall inform the Commission in advance. The final decision on whether we will make use of the derogation will be taken the year before each target year (2005 for target year 2006, 2008 for 2009 and 2015 for 2016). If the decision is to make use of the derogation for that target year, then the Commission will be informed accordingly.

Secondary information