George Eustice, the former Environment Secretary and longest serving DEFRA minister in the last government, has urged Labour’s new government to prioritise the regulatory reforms the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has long been calling for, in particular seeing through the end of the T8 exemption.
The tyre recycling industry gathered in Leamington Spa today for their annual conference. Tyre industry leaders are increasingly concerned for the long-term future for the British industry and the delivery of a circular economy. Mr Eustice, a champion of environmental business, now working as an adviser on waste regulations, provided the end-of-life tyre industry his critique of his own time in office and the lessons Labour’s government must learn if they are to deliver the promised reforms.
George Eustice, Director of Penbroath Consultants, advisers on environmental waste, said: “Many of the solutions to the environmental challenges we face can be found by allowing natural cycles to complete. We need to stop fretting about waste and start seeing it as a resource with a financial value. To make this a reality, the government must establish a regulatory regime that supports and rewards those who do the right thing.
“It has long been recognised that the current T8 exemption from the need for a full permit for tyre recovery has been abused. People can self-declare and register for the exemption, renewed every three years and there is little or no enforcement of the conditions of the exemption. DEFRA has longstanding plans to remove that exemption so that responsible operators are not placed at a commercial disadvantage.
“Policy on waste and resources should be a matter of cross-party consensus. The new Government has emphasised its commitment to the circular economy and it is essential that The Rt Hon Steve Reed MP now brings forward changes to the Environmental Protection Regulations to remove the T8 exemption. Given the decisions made by the last government, the legislative process has been lined up and it should be straight forward for the new administration to just crack on with this reform.”
Mr Eustice’s keynote speech addressed further pressing concerns facing industry operators and the new Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, as he drives forward his roadmap to move Britain to a zero-waste economy. Key to this will be addressing whole tyre exports (in particular concerns raised in both Britain and India), changes to international waste regulations (of particular relevance those of the EU and India) and steps to drive the circular economy, including the end of T8 exemptions and future use of reclaimed oil.
Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said: “Today (24th September) is the largest gathering of TRA members on record. This is a reflection of the industry’s need for clarity and leadership. Our businesses, those who invest in best practice, are in choppy waters and are looking for clarity over the industry’s future. It was valuable to hear form Mr Eustice, a DEFRA minster for nine years who has shared insight and wisdom into the complexities of government.
“There is a great opportunity for the future of Britain’s tyre recycling industry, we have the domestic capacity to achieve Steve Reeds ambition, but he must push through the long awaited reforms initiated by the last administration. The existing regulatory regime does not incentives the use of the new technologies and innovation that builds that road forward and the business and environmental opportunities they would bring.”