Government

B.I.G welcomes Prime Minister’s statement on waste incineration At Prime Minister's Question Time on 30th June 2010 at the House of Commons ... Nadine Dorries (Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire):     The American waste giant, Covanta, is proposing to build in my constituency an incinerator about the size of Wembley. Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that decisions about such matters will be made at a local level in future? The Prime Minister:   Well, my honourable friend is right to raise this and it’s right that decisions should be made locally, and we want to make sure that all the latest technology in terms of alternatives to incineration are looked at so we can actually make sure we are using the best ways to make sure that we have a green approach. (You can see video of this exchange by clicking here and scrolling to 1 minute 58 seconds in the exchanges or by viewing it on You Tube).

4 May 2010, Ware Hustings - Parliamentary Candidates Respond to BIG Question

“What is your party line on incineration and would you be prepared to stand against it, with particular reference to the proposed Biffa incinerator which, when built, will tower over Ware and surrounding areas?”

Andrew Lewin (Liberal Democrat): "I oppose this proposal because:

• incineration is the wrong solution for waste, you get locked into it for 25 years or more
• Biffa's incinerator in Ware is too close to people, dangerously so for numerous reasons
  
• incinerators produce carbon dioxide emissions"

Steve Terry (Labour): "If elected I will champion the area because it is the job of a local MP to support local people ... I want to commit the Labour Party to support the Burning Issue Group, which I think is great and I am four square behind you. "

Mark Prisk (Conservative): "I know what Biffa is like, in my opinion, as an operator, they are one of the worst in that field. I opposed their original proposal because I don't trust the operator and beacuse of traffic issues and siting which appears to be deliberately inflammatory. The location is wrong."

Supplementary question from the floor : "I work in the waste industry. If you look at Germany they are putting a massive amount of money into recycling, should we be concentrating on recycling rather than dumping and burning?

Andrew Lewin: "The Liberal Democrats do not support EfW incineration. We support innovative recycling. The Liberal Democrats were a green party before it was fashionable. Vote for us if you care about the future of the planet. I came to the Burning Issue Group's inaugural meeting and kept quiet until we had heard both sides, now I want to oppose Biffa's plans. The LibDems are committed to a carbon free Britain by 2050."

Steve Terry [Labour are not against incineration]: "Jobs for the future are in developing a green economy for the benefit of the community. I think there was insufficient consultation with the local community about Biffa's proposal."

Mark Prisk [Conservatives are not against incineration]: "I agree we need to concentrate on recycling. We need to have a code of practice in manufacturing so that cardboard packaging is used instead of plastics. We need incentives to reduce waste, we believe in carrots and not sticks. There can be a place for incineration technology, fears have been overstated. I support what you have been doing in this group [Burning Issue Group]."

Extract from a letter from Mark Prisk MP to one of his constituents dated 10 February 2010 I .. have made it clear that the proposal by Biffa is unacceptable on the grounds of traffic and transport and, frankly, the record of the Operator .. be clear that our protests have been firmly lodged at County Hall prior to any possible application by Biffa. Mark Prisk MP

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