A bid to close a loophole enabling hazardous waste to be exported from the Community for recycling, particularly in developing countries, was made today by the Environment Committee when it adopted a draft recommendation for the second reading of a proposal on the supervision of waste shipments.
Amending the Council's common position the committee called on the Commission to introduce a new category for waste, mainly contaminated metal scrap, which would otherwise have escaped the export ban. Under the terms of the Basle Convention, hazardous waste must not be exported for recycling as from 1 January 1998.
The committee accepted the argument that the principle of proximity (waste must be disposed of as near as possible to the place where it is discarded) and hazard prevention took precedence over the provision of cheap raw materials to developing countries.
The Commission has indicated that it will support the amendments.
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