Consultation on Waste Management Licensing Exemptions
On 24th September 2006, DEFRA issued a consultation regarding the possible amendment of the Waste Management Licensing regime to include further exemptions for certain agricultural wastes.
The main purpose of the proposed new exemptions is to allow certain waste recovery and disposal operations to be undertaken in relation to agricultural waste under an exemptions regime, whilst preventing abuse and ensuring protection of the environment and human health.
The proposed licensing exemptions include the use of drum incinerators, waste disposal in the event of a plant health disease outbreak, the use of ash from the incineration of non-SRM pig and poultry carcasses, the use of biobeds for pesticide residues and the use of dredgings from ditch clearances.
As previously reported (see “New Controls on Agricultural Waste” in the April edition of In Touch), the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 came into force on 15 May 2006 with a 12 month transitional period, which allows the continuing deposit, disposal or recovery of agricultural waste for a period of 12 months starting from 15 May 2006 provided these activities were:
a) being carried out before this date;
b) do not contravene the Landfill Directive; and c) do not cause pollution of the Environment or harm to human health.
Responses to the consultation should be received by 15th December 2006. Further information can be obtained from http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wasteman-agri/index.htm
Source: www.defra.gov.uk (accessed 03/10/06)