Government Must Ensure Better Car Disposal

5.57.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 12th Jul 2007

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne has criticised the UK government for its slow enforcement of European rules regarding the safe disposal of scrap cars.

Speaking from Strasbourg after Euro-MPs voted yesterday to amend and tighten the existing legislation, Liz Lynne MEP said:

"I welcome the amendments to the existing rules which should mean that more of the two million vehicles disposed of in Britain each year are dealt with more safely by helping to close loopholes exploited by disreputable scrap yards and also stopping owners dumping cars at the side of the road."

"However we must not forget that the existing rules have not been publicised or enforced sufficiently in the UK since they came into force, so many Britons are unaware of the requirements and Britain is lagging behind other European countries. In the Netherlands for example, a £30 surcharge on new cars has been in place for some time, and is already contributing to disposal costs."

Since the 1st of January scrap cars must be returned to an authorised scrap yard or to the manufacturer.

"Manufacturers must take responsibility for the products they make and are encouraged by existing legislation to design cars that can be easily recycled. However, the UK authorities need to get their house in order and ensure that disreputable yards do not simply tick a box and pour the oil and coolants down the drain in order to issue the required documentation."

"This legislation, once enforced fully, should ensure this happens and as such will be good for consumers, the environment and the car industry."