On the basis of our provisional timetable, stage 1 will be published in spring 2009 and stage 2 by the end of 2009
Jane Kennedy
The European legislation, which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in November 2008 (see letsrecycle.com story), includes challenging targets to recycle and reuse 50% of household waste by 2020.
And, waste and recycling minister Jane Kennedy has revealed that Defra will be carrying out a two-stage consultation process beginning this spring to make sure it is transposed by the official deadline of December 12, 2010.
The revelation came yesterday in the written answer to a parliamentary question from Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East.
Ms Kennedy said: “EU member states are required to bring the revised Waste Framework Directive into force by 12 December 2010. Defra proposes to inform the directive's transposition in England by means of a two-stage consultation process.
“Stage 1 will consult on issues of policy and strategy and stage 2 on the transposing legislation. On the basis of our provisional timetable, stage 1 will be published in spring 2009 and stage 2 by the end of 2009. Both consultations will be for 12-week periods and will be carried out in line with the principles in the Government's “Code of Practice on Consultation” (July 2008)”, she added.
Ms Kennedy added that, as waste policy is a devolved matter, transposition and implementation of the directive in other parts of the United Kingdom and the associated consultation process would be the responsibility of the relevant devolved Administration.
The way in which the Waste Framework Directive is transposed is likely to have a significant impact on both businesses and councils, particularly with regards to whether green waste is allowed to count towards household recycling goals. Defra is believed to currently support the position that it will count so long as it is “genuinely recycled” (see letsrecycle.com story).
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