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Allister speaks out in Waste Directive debate

17 June 2008


During the second reading debate in the European Parliament on the new Waste Framework Directive, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has spoken up strongly in favour of turning waste to energy. This debate, made more pertinent by the hike in  world-wide energy price, has its own resonance in Northern Ireland, with the Rose Energy application to generate electricity from agricultural waste.

In the course of his remarks, Mr Allister said:-

"Jim Allister (NI). – Madam President, across Europe, every Member State is struggling with runaway energy prices. Therefore seeing waste as potentially important fuel is, I believe, both sensible and necessary. It is surely a win win situation – both dealing with our massive stockpiles of waste and providing an alternative energy supply source, particularly as we face an energy crisis and increasing dependence upon insecure foreign supplies of oil.

I therefore do not understand the reticence of some in facing up to the obvious advantage of promoting energy from waste. I fear some colleagues feel so precious about their recycling and anti-incineration dogmas that they would sacrifice the opportunity of heat and power from waste. In that, I have to say, I believe they are profoundly mistaken.

On a related note, could I say that I very strongly favour maximising the definition of ‘recovery’ under the Directive, making it indisputably clear that energy from waste represents recovery, not disposal, of waste. We should particularly apply that to our agricultural sector, where there is much opportunity in that regard."
Speaking from Strasbourg Mr Allister also expressed concern about moves to enhance recycling targets to unrealistic levels and setting waste prevention targets which would impose impossible financial demands on local government and, thus, local ratepayers. "More Europe, always means more taxation. It is up to national governments, not expenditure-happy Brussels to set our waste and recycling targets", said the TUV MEP.

 

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Agriculture and Environment