BUDGET 2003
See the full chapter on protecting the environment at
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget/bud_bud03/budget_report/bud_bud03_repchap7.cfm

DEFRA BUDGET STATEMENT
Wednesday's Budget from the Chancellor Gordon Brown consolidates a number of key initiatives in support of Defra's policy responsibilities and sets out a challenging agenda for future progress. It confirms fiscal support across the range of the Department's sustainable development programme, working for a better quality of life.  Read DEFRA's budget statement at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2003/budget.htm

2ND READING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR BILL
On Tuesday the House of Commons gave the Anti-social Behaviour Bill its second reading with Home Secretary David Blunkett see the press release http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=443

WHERE HAVE ALL THE TYRES GONE?
About half of the tyres disposed of in Wales each year; enough to fill 444 double-decker buses just `disappear.'  A study in South East Wales recently showed that there was a 50% deficit in the production and disposal of waste tyres. In Wales alone more than half a million tyres need disposing of every year.
A one-day conference was held on 8 April 2003 at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells in which a number of interested groups tried to find a way to solve the problem of using or disposing of tyres safely without harming the environment.  http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/?lang=_e

FOCUS ON WASTE FROM SCRAPPED VEHICLES
DOE have published a consultation document seeking views on the draft End of Life Vehicles Regulations 2003.  See the consultation document and explanatory note at http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/news/news/news_ELV.shtml

COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The CPA consultation document that was mentioned here on NewsOnline before has been amended due to a printing error on page 18, 19 and appendix 4.  See http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/index.asp

COMMISSION ASKS MEMBER STATES TO COMPLY WITH EU WASTE LEGISLATION
Commission has also decided to refer France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece and Finland to the European Court of Justice for failure to adopt national legislation concerning end-of-life vehicles. The Member States cited have failed to meet the agreed April 2002 deadline for such legislation and the Court referrals represent the last step in the legal procedure under Article 226 of the Treaty. The Commission is concerned that, by not implementing these laws correctly and in time, Member States will fail to meet waste prevention and reduction goals agreed at EU level, and will, as a consequence, fail to reduce the pressure that waste puts on the environment.

Commenting on the decisions, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: "In 2000, EU Member States agreed to significantly strengthen rules on the waste generated by end-of-life motor vehicles. Despite reminders by the Commission, eight member states have still not followed up this commitment. They now need to urgently finalise the national legislation needed to make these ambitious new rules effective."

2003 GREEN APPLE AWARDS
Companies, councils and communities will be invited to the Houses of Parliament to collect their trophies if they are successful in this year's Green Apple Environment Awards, supported by CIWM.  The organisers are inviting entries from any business of organisation that is making an effort to protect or enhance the environment.  There is no entry fee and there are categories to cover every sector of commerce, industry, groups and local government. To register for this years campaign, telephone 01604 810507, or write to Green Apple Awards, Barton Mill, Earls Barton, Northampton NN6 0NR.
e-mail: greenapple@themillbarn.free-online.co.uk  There is a holiday prize for the overall National Winners

NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS
For the second year running the Environment Agency is supporting the Orange-sponsored National Business Awards and is now inviting entries for its Environmental Awareness Award category.
This category recognises and rewards businesses that can demonstrate outstanding environmental performance and innovation, is one of 24 National Business Awards that will be presented at the Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday 11 November at London's Le Meridien, Grosvenor House.

The Agency's award category is open to public and private sector organisations, regulated and non-regulated businesses, of any size.  The closing date for the return of entry forms is 28 July 2003 and the names of finalists will be announced at a summer party on 9 September.  Further information on the National Business Awards is available at www.thenationalbusinessawards.com and entry forms for all award categories can be obtained from the Entries Team by telephoning 020 7378 1188 or by emailing nba@quest-media.com