Commenting today on speeches by Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom at the Conservative Party Conference, CIWM chief executive Steve Lee said:
“In the process outlined in her announcement at the weekend, the Prime Minister has provided a degree of certainty for UK business, including our sector. Existing EU law, of course, remains in force until the Article 50 negotiations are concluded and the UK is in a position to repeal the European Communities Act. Converting it into British law in the interim, however, allows a stable transition up to the point at which the post-Brexit UK Government is ready to undertake the mammoth task of amending, repealing or improving those laws.
“This is all helpful in a general context, and confirms that the landscape won’t change for at least the next two to three years. The future of the waste and resources sector, however, hangs as much in the balance today as it did before the Conservative Party Conference. Beyond promising both a tailored and ambitious approach to environmental protection in Defra’s 25-year environment plan, Andrea Leadsom’s speech yesterday offered up little detail on the department’s approach to Brexit, despite the fact that UK policy in this area is largely framed around and driven by EU legislation. Myriad questions remain, including the outlook for the EU Circular Economy package, which could be on the EU statute book before the UK departs. We must also keep an eye out for more detail on exactly how changes to the existing legislation will be made when the time comes. Will it be a truly consultative (and potentially, therefore, long drawn out and complex) process as May promises or will Ministers be given executive powers?”
“Looking on the positive side, there is everything to play for and CIWM is and will continue to engage with all four UK governments to ensure that the UK has a robust and ambitious waste and resources strategy in the future. On the down side, investment in services and infrastructure requires long term certainty and it is hard to say when our industry will have that luxury again.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6,000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non-profit making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. More information can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
Press contact: Pat Jennings Head of Policy & Communications Tel: 01604 620426 Mob: 07912 228260 E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk