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12 Jan 2009 : Column 223W—continued
to avoid actions which exacerbate the situation while markets stabilise.
Officials continue to work with the Environment Agency, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee and the Local Government Association in order to monitor market developments.
On 17 December I met representatives of the packaging industry.
Recycling: Exports
Dr. Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of recovered (a) ferrous metal, (b) non-ferrous metal, (c) plastic, (d) paper and cardboard, (e) glass and (f) wood was exported in 2007. [243417]
Jane Kennedy: The following table details the proportion of recovered ferrous metal, paper and board, and glass cullet that was exported from the UK in 2007. Figures for non-ferrous metal, plastic and wood are not currently available.
| Exports as a proportion of recovery, UK, 2007 | |
| Percentage | |
Recycling: Tyres
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to promote and increase the recycling of tyres. [245436]
Jane Kennedy: The Government have fully implemented the EU landfill directive which bans the disposal of whole and shredded used tyres in landfills and is therefore an important driver for tyre recycling.
The Government working closely with industry have ensured that there is sufficient recycling and recovery capacity to handle the 48 million tyres produced annually. Recycling and recovery includes the use of baled tyres in certain construction projects and the use of tyre crumb in the manufacture of sports and safety surfaces. Used tyres are also utilised as a substitute fuel in cement kilns and pyrolysis plants.
The DEFRA-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) ran a successful tyre programme from 2005 to 2008. This led to the development of two publicly available standards for tyre shred and crumb and for tyre bales and the development of markets for their use.
In addition the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) leads a Used Tyre Working Group which focuses on the re-use, recycling and recovery of used tyres. The group has a wide-ranging membership drawn from the tyre industry, the Government and WRAP.
Rural Payments Agency: ICT
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the Rural Payments Agency's upgrade of its IT system to the Epsilon programme. [245801]
Jane Kennedy: The Epsilon IT changes were delivered at a cost of £8.56 million. This reflects costs over a 12-month lifecycle from design through to implementation.
The core components in scope included:
mandatory policy changes to allow accurate Single Payment Scheme 2008 payments;
automated management of customer land transfer details;
simplified management of customer entitlements;
providing a unique point of access for customer documents.
The cost includes design, build and delivery of a functional system but excludes wider business change costs.
Slaughterhouses
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely costs to (a) farmers and (b) abattoirs of the implementation of the EU regulations that require slaughterhouses to appoint an animal welfare officer; what assessment he has made of the effect of these regulations on the profitability of abattoirs; and if he will make a statement. [246812]
Jane Kennedy: The European Commission published proposals for a regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing on 22 September 2008. This includes proposals to require the appointment of an Animal Welfare Officer in every abattoir over a minimum size. An EU impact assessment was published alongside the proposal and this is available on the European Commission website.
A UK impact assessment is currently being prepared. This will consider the costs and benefits of the proposed regulation including the cost to farmers and abattoirs. The impact assessment will be included with the consultation document on the proposed regulation which will be published in early 2009. This will provide an opportunity for those affected by the proposed regulation to give their views and to comment on the assumptions used to assess its impact.
Sustainable Development Commission: Public Appointments
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration he has given to the future chairmanship of the Sustainable Development Commission; and whether Sir Jonathan Porritt has indicated whether he would be willing to continue as chair beyond his term ending in July 2009. [241976]
Jane Kennedy: In July 2009, Sir Jonathon Porritt will complete his third term as chair of the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC). Under the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments this is the maximum number of terms allowed for one individual in a body such as the SDC.
As the sponsoring department for the SDC, DEFRA has begun the process of appointment of a new chair. This process is being managed in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments guidelines in order to have a new chair appointed before the end of July 2009.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Hilary Benn) and I are grateful for the service that Sir Jonathan Porritt has given to the Commission since his appointment in 2000.
Tidal Power: River Severn
Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration he has given to how the terms of the EU Habitats Directive could be met with respect to fish stocks if a Severn barrage were to be constructed. [244317]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
The Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study is considering a number of proposed electricity generation schemes, not barrages exclusively.
Full consideration is being given to potential impacts of a tidal power scheme on migratory and estuarine fish. A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken, together with a strategic level habitats regulations assessment (HRA), the preliminary stage of which has already commenced. The HRA is being conducted under the terms of the habitats regulations, the instrument by which the habitats directive is translated into UK law. These assessments include all designated migratory fish species of the Severn estuary and relevant tributaries including the rivers Usk and Wye.
Subject to internal review, preliminary studies on fish impacts and the preliminary HRA screening will be published in the new year, alongside public consultation
on the scope of the strategic environmental assessment. Further studies are planned during 2009 and will be published later.
Veterinary Medicine
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that veterinary surgeons who are required to destroy injured thoroughbreds on racecourses as part of their duties (a) have sufficient training and (b) are periodically assessed to ensure that their standard of competence is maintained. [242392]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has no plans to ensure the competence of veterinary surgeons attending racecourses. Both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Horseracing Authority have rules in place which address this concern.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to require at least two means of humane despatch for an injured racehorse to be available immediately to the veterinary surgeon on duty at a racecourse. [242393]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has no plans to introduce such a requirement. However, the British Horseracing Authority require that when racehorses need to be humanely destroyed, that the horse is either shot with a silenced weapon or that chemical means are used. The choice of which method should be used is a matter of professional judgment for the veterinary surgeon.
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to bring forward proposals to update the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. [243696]
Jane Kennedy: There are currently no plans to update or replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA).
Waste Disposal
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to assist local authorities in the disposal of waste stored in warehouses and other storage facilities. [242796]
Jane Kennedy: With the aim of helping local authorities, DEFRA is taking the following steps:
(i) supporting the Environment Agency in relaxing the rules on storage of recyclable wastes;
(ii) encouraging the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), and other bodies to help identify alternative market outlets for recyclable wastes, both domestic and international.
Waste Disposal: Greater London
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which steps his Department has taken to evaluate the new multi-modal refuse collection vehicle for London. [244879]
Jane Kennedy: Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places the duty to collect commercial and household waste in England on waste collection authorities. These authorities are better placed than central Government to make decisions on the best sustainable waste management strategy for their area and consequently DEFRA does not interfere in these decisions.
It would be a matter for the local authority planning to use a particular vehicle or collection methodology to assess all aspects of its suitability.
Waste Disposal: Hazardous Substances
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received calling for the introduction of incentives for the full recovery of hazardous waste oil; and if he will make a statement. [243908]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA officials have received regular correspondence from representatives of the oil recycling sector about the issues relating to the recovery of waste oil and have also held meetings with the oil recycling sector to discuss these issues.
Waste Management
Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will require the Environment Agency to provide guidance to local authorities on the most suitable type of waste management treatment facility appropriate to the geography of the area in which it is to be sited, taking account of the nearness to residents, topography and the local flora and fauna. [244247]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 18 December 2008]: While general guidance has been provided by both bodies, it is not within the remit either of the Health and Safety Executive or the Environment Agency to provide guidance to individual local authorities on what is the suitable type of waste management treatment facility for their area.
Specific guidance for local authorities through Planning Policy Statement 10 (PPS10) is also to be taken into account by waste planning authorities and forms part of the national waste management plan for the UK.
Solicitor-General
Gambling: Young People
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Solicitor-General how many people were prosecuted for the offence of inviting, causing or permitting a child or young person to gamble in each of the last five years. [240340]
Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
The number of persons proceeded against in magistrates courts for certain offences for gambling in England and Wales, 2003 to 2007 can be viewed in the following table.
The relevant sections of the Gambling Act 2005 Sections 46, 47, 56 and 57 came into force on 1 September 2007.
Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, is unable to separately identify Sections 46 and 47 as they are grouped together.
These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
Court proceedings data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
| Number of persons proceeded against in magistrates courts for certain offences relating to Gambling in England and Wales, 2003 to 2007( 1, 2, 3, 4) | |
| Proceeded against | |
| (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes the following statutes and corresponding offence descriptions: Gambling Act 2005 SS.46, 47, 48 & 62(1)(a)-(c ) & (2) Inviting children and young persons to gamble; participation by young persons in gambling. (People under 18 are not allowed to gamble) Gambling Act 2005 SS.47 & 49 & 62(1)(b)&(2) Invitation to enter premises; young persons entering premises. (Child and young person may not enter gambling premises) Gambling Act 2005 S.56 & 62(1)(a)-( c) & 2, 62(1)(b)&(2) Invitation to participate in lottery: inviting, causing or permitting a child to take part in a lottery Gambling Act 2005 S.57 & 62(1)(a)-( c) & 2, 62(1)(b)&(2) Invitation to participate in football pools: inviting, causing or permitting a child to take part in football pools Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, sec 21(a). Betting with young person. Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, sec 21 (b) and (c). Employing young persons. Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, sec 21 (b) and (c). Employing young persons. Gaming Act, 1968 Sec 23 -6. False statement for purpose of obtaining a certificate of approval under Section 19 of this Act or reinstatement of same after revocation by the board. Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 Sec 13. and Schedules 1 and 2, Secs 14, 2, 3, 4. Contravening lotteries Regs 1977. Local and Societies' lotteries contravene requirements of Secs 5 - 12. Prize competitions. General lottery offences. Small lotteries incidental to exempt entertainments. Private lotteries. (4) The relevant sections of the Gambling Act 2005 Sections 46, 47, 56 and 57 came into force on 1 September 2007. Source: OCJR - E & A: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis Unit | |
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