Mary Messer, technical officer at the Composting Association said: “the proposed code is an idea we're floating with the Environment Agency at the moment. It would help to provide some consistency throughout the industry.
“The aim is to ultimately make planning easier and the more people that sign up to the standard, the better it will be for everyone. We will be setting up a working group to discuss the code early next year,” she added.
Other issues discussed at the meeting in central London were forthcoming legislative changes which are likely to affect the sector. These included revisions to the Planning Policy Guidance 10 (PPG10) relating to waste. The ODPM is due to consult on draft changes to the guidance in late autumn.
Waste Management Licensing was also discussed at the meeting, at which 40 members were present, within a session held by the Environment Agency. Composters are particularly concerned about expected changes to licensing exemptions which are likely to reduce the amount of compost a site can produce before it needs a waste management license. The revisions are also due out later this year.
Mrs Messer said that composters were keen to get across how planning and licensing issues could be made easier: “We think there are too many contradictions from regulators. At the meeting we asked for more joined up thinking,” she explained.
Another major issue covered was the CA's proposed submission to Defra's scrutinee committee Efracom, which will demonstrate the hurdles composters face in playing their part in helping to meet requirements of the Landfill Directive.
Mrs Messer pointed out the importance of the submission: “This is a key issue for us; we really wanted to get our members thoughts and opinions about what should be submitted.” Jane Gilbert, chief executive of the Composting Association will present their case later this year.
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