^{Date:              03 November 2008
Embargo:       None}

SESA at the SNP Conference

Richard Lochhead MSP, Scotland’s Environment Minister joined Colin Paterson, chairman of SESA’s Executive Committee, at SESA’s fringe event at the SNP Conference in Perth.

Mr Paterson welcomed Scotland’s progress and current recycling rate of 32% and he called on the Scottish Government to ensure Scotland’s compliance with strict and fast approaching landfill diversion targets. He noted that timely delivery of a revised National Waste Plan was key to the success of the SNP’s waste strategy and stressed the importance of a clearly defined “zero waste” policy.

Mr Lochhead noted that the timetable for revising the National Waste Plan would be soon be published. He noted that Fife Council had recently announced that it aimed for zero waste to landfill by 2020 and encouraged other local authorities to exceed the Scottish Government’s already ambitious targets.

Commenting on Scotland’s Landfill Allowance Scheme, Mr Lochhead noted that LAS fines had been suspended pending a review of the Scheme. He asserted that the threat of fines was unnecessary given the recently agreed Concordant with Cosla which he said had instead fostered a sense of mutual trust and agreement with the Scottish Government to ensure diversion targets were met.

ENDS