Written question asked by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 July 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004 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, what timetable (a) has operated until now and (b) has been set out for the future, for informing businesses of changes to the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste and the types of waste classified as hazardous, resulting from waste-related European Union directives.

Answer: Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable (a) has operated until now and (b) has been set out for the future, for informing businesses of changes to the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste and the types of waste classified as hazardous, resulting from waste- related European Union Directives. [184771] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 16 July 2004]: The timetable for implementing changes resulting from European Union Directives usually takes several years, and businesses should expect and anticipate the regulatory changes from an early stage. To date, businesses have been informed about these changes through the negotiation of the Directives, via the consultation exercises undertaken on the implementation and regulatory amendments and also by means of stakeholder forums, such as the Hazardous Waste Forum. Since early 2004, a Defra communications strategy has been in place to inform businesses about the changes that are being introduced as a result of the Landfill and Hazardous Waste Directives over two years. As part of this function a dedicated website, widely distributed leaflet, a number of stakeholder events and relevant articles in the trade press have been produced. Communicating with businesses about these changes will continue while the waste-related European Union Directives are implemented.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 184771; 424 c250W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Business EU law Hazardous substances Landfill Publicity Waste management Waste disposal Hazardous Waste Forum
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk