The matter stems from an interview with the minister conducted by letsrecycle.com. Speaking shortly after the ruling on Wastepack's performance over meeting targets for 2001, Mr Meacher suggested that Wastepack ought to have kept the Scottish Environment Protection Agency informed about its progress in meeting the targets during the year. Wastepack, however, had kept SEPA informed.
In a letter to Wastepack from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, it is confirmed that “Mr Meacher apologises for any embarrassment that this statement may have caused Wastepack.”
The Department says to Wastepack in the letter: “Mr Meacher commented on April 16, in response to a question from a journalist on “letsrecycle.com” that Wastepack should have talked to SEPA earlier so that they could discuss how to deal with an anticipated shortfall in meeting recovery and recycling targets under the packaging Regulations.”
Communication
The letter continues: “You state that the communication process between SEPA and Wastepack is well documented. We have spoken to SEPA about this matter and they have confirmed that Wastepack presented its compliance plan for 2001 to SEPA and maintained regular contact with SEPA about compliance in 2001.” The letter concludes with the apology from Mr Meacher.
Mike Beard, marketing director for Wastepack said: “We were surprised by the minister's statement when we heard about it. He has always treated us with courtesy and we are sure he could not have been aware of the full facts of the situation. We appreciate the way in which he has put this matter right.”
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