Replying to a written parliamentary question submitted by the Labour MP for West Bromwich West, Adrian Bailey on Monday (March 2), Ms Kennedy commented on the potential impact of Defra and the Environment Agency's review of the exemption system on the metals recycling sector.
It is estimated that about one third of scrap metal sites which are currently exempt might need to apply for an environmental permit
Jane Kennedy
Mr Bailey asked the minister how many metal recycling sites would have their exemption removed under the proposals, how many would face additional costs or possibly closure, and just how much those costs would be.
In response, Ms Kennedy explained: “In England and Wales there are currently 1,893 sites operating under the existing exemption from environmental permitting which applies to the recovery of scrap metal or the dismantling of motor vehicles.”
“Under the proposed amendments to the exemptions from environmental permitting which the department put out for consultation last year, and using best available information, it is estimated that about one third of scrap metal sites which are currently exempt might need to apply for an environmental permit,” she added.
In their review of the exemption system, which was published for consultation last July (see letsrecycle.com story), Defra and the EA proposed that the recovery of scrap metal and the dismantling of depolluted waste motor vehicles no longer be covered by an exemption and would instead require a full environmental permit.
Burdens
The plans came under-fire in later 2008 from the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), which claimed the amendment to the exemption, which is known as 'Paragraph 45', would place additional burdens on business and discourage small scrap metal yards from operating.
The BMRA's director-general Lindsay Millington said: “If enacted, Defra's proposals will put a squeeze on small-scale recyclers by adding to their administrative burden and increasing operating costs.”
However, in her written response to Mr Bailey's question this week, Ms Kennedy stressed that a final decision on the future shape of the environmental permitting and exemptions system had not yet been made, and as a result the exact impact could not be gauged.
“No decisions have yet been taken on the outcome of the consultation process, and until the exemption thresholds are finalised, it is not possible to determine precisely how many scrap metal sites would require an environmental permit and associated planning approval in the future,” she said.
“Any additional costs incurred by such sites would vary, depending on the particular circumstances of each site,” she added.
The consultation on the revisions to the exemption system closed in October 2008 and the Environment Agency has said that it plans to consult further with those sectors directly affected by the proposed changes before it hopes to introduce a system of standard permitting in October 2009.
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