EU ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS REGULATION - DETAILS OF LEGISLATION AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
DEFRA have issued further guidance on the Animal BY-Products Regulations including a series of transitional arrangements that were secured following responses to the consultation in January, the collection and disposal of certain types of waste food from food manufacturing premises and retail outlets will now not fall under the regulations until December 31, 2005. The UK has yet to transpose the regulation into national law, but is expected to have done so by the end of May. See www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm or www.letsrecycle.com/wasteman/news.jsp?story=2201
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF GREENER BUSINESS

A report commissioned by the Environment Agency to provide estimates of the savings manufacturing industry could achieve if best practice methods were to be adopted has highlighted major financial gains to be made. Waste Minimisation could save the industry around £2-3 billion annually as well as provide gains to society through the investment in resource productivity.
See www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/techguide/publications/480057/?version=1&lang=_e

EU STUDY INTO RESOURCE USE IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

The study entitled Resource Use in European Countries: An estimate of materials and waste streams in the Community, including imports and exports using the instrument of material flow analysis, aims to support the development of a Thematic Strategy for Sustainable Use and Management of Resources through the provision of background information, in particular "an estimate of materials and waste streams in the Community, including imports and exports"
See http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/natres/index.htm#zero

ENCAMS FLY-TIPPING TIP OFF LINE
ENCAMS latest campaign has seen the establishment of a hot line for members of the public to call to report fly-tipping incidents (England and Northern Ireland only). Details of the reported incidents are then passed straight on to the Environment Agency or Local Authority. Poster will be visible on the back of buses and on billboards, with A3 posters available from ENCAMS urging members of the public not to turn a blind eye. See www.encams.org/  and click on the fly-tipping section

HOUSE OF LORDS ENQUIRY INTO EUROPEAN WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY
The House of Lords European Union Committee has issued a call for evidence into European Union Policy Development: The Challenge of Waste Management. The enquiry will examine the development of European Policy, including the effectiveness of any UK input unto policy making and the subsequent effectiveness of implementation into UK law.
See www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_s_comm_d.cfm.
Meanwhile the Committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will begin to hear evidence next week on Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener and will hear from ENCAMS, Wrigley's and McDonalds among others~ See www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/odpm/odpm032904.cfm

MORI POLL REVEALS PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR A TAX ON PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

Research carried out by market research company MORI has indicated that almost two thirds of the British public would support a tax on plastic shopping bags. 26% of those questioned would stongly support the producer pays principle and accept a tax of 10 pence per bag, while a further 37% would also support the idea. See www.mori.com/polls/2003/meb1.shtml

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND RECYCLING FUND

A large portion of the revenue generated from plastic bags and landfill currently in place in the Republic of Ireland will be invested back into waste management. Around ?35 million will mainly go towards developing the infrastructure to allow the collection and segregation of recyclable materials, with funding also going towards developing a national waste prevention programme, market development, educational campaigns and better enforcement of environmental legislation. See www.environ.ie/pressindex.html

STANDARD CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Following a number of requests, the Institution is considering setting up a working group to revisit Standard Conditions of Contract for Waste Services. Some time ago the then IWM, NAWDC, ACTO and others produced the Specification and Conditions of Contract for Refuse Collection, these were widely used at the time and there may be an opportunity to develop the Standard Contract for this and other waste services. Anyone with an interest or expertise in this field should contact the Technical Department at tina.benfield@ciwm.co.uk or 01604 620426.

DEFRA /CIWM HALF DAY BRIEFING ON WASTE MANAGEMENT PAPER 4 REVISION

WMP 4 is currently being consulted upon, this briefing session will allow delegates to hear the latest position from DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the Industry. The event will be held in Northampton on Friday 16th May. For further details on the event and costs contact the Events department 01604 620426 or
See www.publishingmedia.co.uk/mediastoreV2/2/FILES/84302.doc

The CIWM is also in the process of producing a response to the consultation document and members wishing to submit comments for inclusion in the response should send them to Michael.Day@ciwm.co.uk at the earliest possible convenience. See www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wasteman/index.htm for consultation document

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK YOUR STAND FOR THE CIWM ANNUAL EXHIBITION

Most of the exhibition site is already sold out, but there are still a few internal & external stands available.  With over 320 exhibitors already confirmed don't miss out on this opportunity to take part in the Waste Management event of the year taking place from the 10th-12th June 2003. Contact Harvey Sugden or Sue Warrick on 01604 620426, events@ciwm.co.uk see our web site www.ciwm.co.uk/events