The Committee of Regions
(CoR) announced that local and regional authorities called the EU policy
makers to adopt tighter EU rules to clamp down illegal waste shipments.
CoR, the EU's assembly of local and regional authorities, adopted a report that back plans to amend the existing legislation on illegal waste shipments.
Led by Cllr Paula Baker (UK/ALDE), the Committee argues that changes to
the current EU regulation must set far more stringent shipping
inspections, introduce consistent controls across all EU member states,
and increase the power of public authorities.
Councilor said, “when you see what the impact the shipping of illegal
waste can have on communities and countries, you can only feel
outraged. We simply must do all we can to put a stop to it. Taking
concrete steps to renew and reinforce already existing EU regulation is a
positive step forward.”
The report by CoR, stressed that the new legislation should include
measurable targets across the EU. Moreover, it underlines that the
publication of the inspection plans could be counterproductive and
actually support those involved in illegal waste activities. Committee
said that it would be more efficient to release strategic guidance, and
not operational, information. It also suggested that local and regional
authorities should be allowed to ask for proof from shipments where the
waste will end and also that information on end destination be made
public.
The introduction of a standardised data system across the EU, for
public authorities to improve their illegal waste shipments controls
wouldalso reduce the administrative costs by €40 million, Committee
said. CoR also asked more funding to the European Union Network for the
Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL), to ensure
the quantity and the quality of the illegal waste shipments inspections.