Hames toughens Lib Dem line on waste in cement kilns

10.15.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 20th Sep 2004

Cllr Duncan Hames makes his case at the Liberal Democrat conference.

Local Lib Dem councillor, Duncan Hames, changed his national party's policy on Hazardous Waste in cement kilns at their annual conference in Bournemouth last week.

Alongside colleagues from Rugby, he put forward an amendment to the Hazardous Waste policy which secured the support of the conference. The amendment read:

"Ensure that cement kilns will not be used to dispose of hazardous waste unless there is clear evidence that they can meet the highest environmental standards achieved by specialist hazardous waste management facilities.

"Apply the precautionary principle by preventing the use of hazardous waste in cement kilns that are in close proximity to residential areas until such time as there is clear evidence and scientific consensus that there are no health risks to neighbouring populations.

Speaking in the debate, Cllr Hames said:

"People in and around Westbury are not second class citizens, and they don't deserve second class environmental standards. Westbury is a fast-growing town alongside a kiln due to trial burning of such waste - it must be the last site you'd want to choose to trial new waste and fuel mixes in this way. Why should we be the guinea pigs?"

The amendments sought to respond the the proposed Substitute Fuels protocol, which suggests treating the burning of hazardous waste differently where it can be claimed to be used as a fuel.

Commenting after the vote, Cllr Hames added:

"I'm delighted to have won the support of the party for this tougher position. It really is refreshing to see that in our party if you have a strong enough case you can come to conference from the grassroots and find you are able to set policy. Now we must go on to persuade the Environment Agency and the government ministers."

Related Link:

[Lib Dem Hazardous Waste Policy Motion in full]