Waste dumped secretly on motorways turns Britain into dustbin of Europe

Article Abstract:

The UK government is to establish a working party to look into the problem of waste being smuggled into the country and illegally dumped. This follows comments from Interpol that the UK laws and enforcement are regarded as a 'soft touch' by the criminals who illegally smuggle waste to dump in the UK. There have been cases of lorry loads of liquid chemicals being deliberately leaked on the M25 as drivers circulate at night until tanks are empty. The smugglers use false documentation to pass customs, which claims that the material is harmless. The working party, comprising of the Home Office, the Environment Agency, Interpol and the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions, will look into ways to improve the training of customs officials to enable them to identify toxic material as part of the strategy to toughen up the UK's waste smuggling law enforcement.

Comment:

UK: Government establishes working party to look into problem of waste being smuggled into the country & illegally dumped

Government regulation, Pollution Control & Abatement, Pollution control

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New concerns over pesticide

Article Abstract:

In response to fears that children are at a greater risk to the side effects of pesticides than adults the Government is said to be planning a review of the use of pesticides in the UK. It is understood that children's immune and central nervous systems are not as fully developed as adult ones, and therefore small doses of pesticides can affect them much more than it would an adult. Previous investigations into the effects of pesticides have been carried out on adults and not children. Results from research being carried out in Edinburgh are expected during 1998, however previous research shows that less than 1% of produce treated with pesticides shows any signs of dangerous residues.

Comment:

UK: Govt plans a review of the use of pesticides in response to fears that children are at a greater risk to its side effects

Government regulation (cont), Pesticides Regulation

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Subjects list: United Kingdom, Article
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