DoE criticised over handling of waste management

The Department of the Environment (DoE) has today been heavily criticised by a House of Commons Watchdog for performing "poorly" in regards to the handling of waste management.

The Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Edward Leigh, today said that the DoE's past performance in transposing EU Directives into Northern Ireland legislation was "woeful."

It is understood that Northern Ireland’s waste management performance ranks poorly against other parts of the UK and Europe, and the Department needs to raise its game if it is to meet the challenges of complying with EU targets.

The DoE's new Waste Management Strategy is due to be announced this month and is hoped to "bite a lot harder than its predecessor" by setting more ambitious targets.

The report added that the Department should act as an example to others and it must be seen to implement good practice, and a good place to start would be the development of targets for improving its own performance.

The DoE was also criticised for its lack of management of illegal waste disposal operations, allowing the black economy to make profits of around £24 million, while the Treasury lost more than £5 million in unclaimed taxes and landfill fees.

Mr Leigh said: The Department’s recent successful prosecutions of offenders are, therefore, most welcome. However, the enforcement effort must be matched with an ongoing commitment to preventative work, including providing waste producers with comprehensive and timely guidance on their responsibilities, and regular monitoring to ensure compliance.”

Mr Leigh was speaking as the Committee published its 31st Report of this Session, which examined Northern Ireland’s framework for waste management, progress in implementing the current Waste Management Strategy and improvements that need to be put in place for the future.

(EF/SP)