"Real anxiety" over future of UK waste policy after Brexit, Lords warn

A lack of policy direction on the UK’s future waste policy post-Brexit is causing “real anxiety” in the industry, according to a new report from the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee.

Urging the UK Government to provide greater clarity on its plans, the committee warned that leaving the EU single market and customs union could lead to more illegal dumping of waste and lower environmental standards.

The sub-committee, which examines policy areas relating to agriculture, fisheries, environment and energy, also wrote to Minister for the Environment Dr Thérèse Coffey to express their concerns about the prospect of waste storage difficulties if there are delays at ports to go through border controls after the UK leaves the EU.

Lord Teverson, chair of the committee, said: “In evidence given to the committee, the minister was confident that Brexit will have little or no impact on the UK’s trade in waste. However, we have heard from experts across the industry and this confidence is not shared.

“While it remains unclear which aspects of EU policy the UK will continue to mirror, and which it will choose to diverge from, businesses are unable to make investment decisions for the years ahead or decide which markets to pursue.

“Given the real anxiety expressed by the industry over the lack of policy direction, we would urge the Government to provide clarity on its vision for the UK’s future waste policy at the earliest possible opportunity.”