Commenting on speeches by Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom at the recent Conservative Party Conference, Resources & Waste UK (R&WUK) chief executive Steve Lee said:

“The Prime Minister has clarified her Government’s plan to trigger the Article 50 EU exit process for the UK next year. She has also made clear that the existing body of EU environmental policy at the moment of departure will be automatically transferred into UK law wherever that is needed.

“What we do not know, however, is the likely status by that date of the EU Circular Economy package – which contains many proposals fully supported by R&WUK – or the UK’s ongoing input into its development in the meanwhile. Equally, the Great Repeal Bill could end up conferring very direct powers on ministers to repeal, amend or weaken these laws once we are officially out of the EU, and the extent to which this would be with or without Parliamentary or industry consultation is as yet not clear.

“Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom added little to the above in her later speech other than to confirm that the Defra 25-year plan will be ‘ambitious’. R&WUK will be looking for early engagement with several Whitehall departments seeking further clarity and input to their thinking.

“Ultimately, the statement by Theresa May is welcome as far as it goes but, as ever, there is much more to be done to support ongoing investment and performance improvement across this sector. We have a significant role to play in supporting resource productivity and competitiveness as part of the Prime Minister’s new UK industry strategy and to do so we need to ensure that post-Brexit UK continues to have a strong environmental policy and legislation framework. We will also need to remain broadly in line with the rest of Europe to facilitate the trade deals that will have to be struck if the UK is not a member of the Single Market.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Resources and Waste UK (R&WUK) is a partnership between the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and Environmental Services Association (ESA). Bringing together the professional institution and trade association at the heart of the sustainable resources and waste management industry in the UK, it was created in 2014 to form a single voice in the interests of championing the future of resource management. A jointly-owned company, R&WUK has a Board of six directors, three from each organisation.

2. Since its creation, R&WUK has commissioned and published reports including policy priorities for the incoming government in May 2015 and recommendations for secondary materials markets stabilisation. Its priorities for the immediate future include the identification of priorities for close working with UK governments, particularly on the development of circular economy policy at an EU and UK level and the necessary policy and legislative changes to accommodate the decision for the UK to leave the EU. More information on R&WUK can be found here http://www.resourcesandwasteuk.co.uk

3. Steve Lee’s appointment as Director General is a fixed term one year appointment. Press contacts:

Pat Jennings Head of Policy & Communications Tel: 01604 620426 Mob: 07912 228260 Email: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk

Toni Waters ESA Communications and Membership Officer Direct Dial: 0207 591 3206 Press Line: 0207 591 3219 Out of Hours Only: 07841 572 834 Email: t-waters@esauk.org