Environment Minister acts to empower councils to tackle illegal waste

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today outlined proposals for new legislation dealing with waste management and contaminated land.

The Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill will have its Second Stage debate in the Assembly this afternoon.

Speaking before the debate the Minister said: “This Bill will empower our local councils to investigate thoroughly, and prosecute effectively, anyone who flouts the law by illegally disposing of waste. The legislation will help create an effective partnership between my Department and local councils to tackle this issue”

The Minister also explained that his department was working with local government to develop a fly-tipping protocol. This Protocol will clearly establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department of the Environment and councils in dealing with fly-tipped waste.

The Minister stated that the Bill also amends the existing legislative framework for the management of land contaminated by pollution. This legislation has not yet been brought into operation in Northern Ireland.

The Minister said: “The proposed amendments reflect lessons learned through experience of operating the legislation in England and Wales. These changes should help ensure that, when commenced, Northern Ireland has a more effective contaminated land regime”.

Notes to editors

1. The Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill (“the Bill”) was introduced to the Assembly on 22 March 2010.
2. The Bill makes a number of amendments to Part 2 of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (“the 1997 Order”). In particular, it legislates for a partnership approach between the Department of the Environment (“the Department”) and local government in tackling illegal waste activity.
3. The Bill also makes some changes to Part 3 of the 1997 Order, which deals with the management of land which has been contaminated by pollution. This part of the Order has not yet been commenced; these amendments mainly reflect lessons learned through experience of operating the legislation in England and Wales.
4. In addition, the Bill includes a minor amendment to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 to provide an inclusive definition of the Department’s powers of entry and inspection under the Order.
5. After a successful second stage debate, The Bill will be referred to the Environment Committee who will carry out an investigation into the detail of the Bill and report back to the Assembly.
6. All media enquires should be directed to the Department of the Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.