Blair criticised for delay in Cardiff Process

Jill Evans MEP, member of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, today criticised Tony Blair and other EU leaders for failing to endorse a comprehensive Sustainable Development Strategy and the so-called Cardiff Process at the EU summit in Gothenburg today. European Union leaders, committed themselves at the Cardiff EU summit in 1998, to integrate
environmental considerations into all EU policy areas as a first step towards sustainable development.

Speaking at a conference on Sustainable Development in Gothenburg, Jill Evans, representing Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales - and the only MEP from Wales at the Summit - criticised Tony Blair for undermining the Cardiff process. She said:

"Tony Blair and the other heads of states have today delayed a process that has been rolling for three years. I reject their argument that due to lack of time, they were unable to endorse this crucial document. Where there's a will there's a way!

"Representing Wales, I feel a duty to ensure that what was decided at the Welsh capital three years ago is not jeopardised. Cardiff is becoming a synonym for sustainable development on a European level. The process that was started at the EU summit in Cardiff in 1998 would oblige decision makers on the European level to make sustainable development central to all policy areas. But words need to be replaced by action.

"By failing to endorse the clear targets and timetable set out by the Commission and the European Parliament, Tony Blair and the other heads of state send out the wrong message to the rest of the world. This lack of will could derail the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

"I also call on Tony Blair and the other heads of states to ensure that sustainability becomes a part of everyday language.  This requires the full consent and active support of the people. After all sustainable development is about people: their economic, social and environmental needs and responsibilities. It connects the local with the global when it comes to good management of our natural heritage, and that is not restricted to purely environmental criteria.

"EU leaders made the commitment to sustainability in Cardiff in 1998. They must not let us down now. Cardiff and Wales have a role to play in ensuring that these commitments are adhered to."

Following the announcement of a partial go-ahead for the Castle Cement kiln at Padeswood, Flintshire, Janet Ryder AM, Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales
Shadow Minister for Local Government, says that health concerns had to be the priority in this case and for other incinerator proposals. She called for the Environment Agency to apply the most stringent controls:

Mrs Ryder, who represents the North Wales Region in the National Assembly, said:

"The detail of this decision, which will dismay thousands of people, needs to be examined closely, but Castle Cement will be very pleased to have had
the go-ahead to build the new kiln, despite the visual impact.

"The workforce will naturally be hoping that this means job security, but the key to this development - and to others around Wales, including north-east Wales - is the impact on health. This is something which must be given prime consideration at every step.

"The Environment Agency has an important job to do in the coming months in ensuring that the most stringent controls are applied before a licence can be granted."

The leader of Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales in the European Parliament, Jill Evans MEP, has criticised the National Assembly's decision to give the go-ahead for the controversial giant kiln at the Castle Cement site at Padeswood near Buckley.

Ms Evans joined members of the Campaign Against a New Kiln (CANK) in opposing the proposed 361 foot kiln, citing concerns that the toxic waste, plastics and tyres to be incinerated at the site would have a detrimental effect on the health of residents living in the area.

The all Wales Euro MP, who is a member of the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment and Public Health, said:

"I am disappointed that the planning application for this massive kiln has been approved. Our focus now turns to ensuring that no hazardous waste is burnt at the site. Whilst the visual impact of a 361 foot high kiln will be bad enough, the real blight will be the potential effects on the health of those living in the Buckley area and well beyond.

"The hazardous waste, called Cemfuel, which is proposed to be used to fire the kiln would produce dioxins and other harmful pollutants for which there is no safe threshold for emissions. The House of Lords Select Committee and other reports have produced evidence to back this statement. The hazardous waste would have to be transported to and from the plant, increasing both traffic volume and a possible health hazard in the event of an accident."

Ms Evans added:

"Burning toxic waste is not acceptable as it clearly compromises public health. The National Assembly has a duty to adopt a precautionary principle, and should put the onus on the company to prove that their proposals won't put the health of local residents at risk.

"I share the anxiety in the local community and beyond about the detrimental effect of this development. I believe that the protection of health must always be given priority over any other concerns."

Councillors have voted against controversial plans for a £25m waste incinerator to be built on the outskirts of Wrexham.

After months of deliberation, councillors refused to support a recommendation to back the application by Portuguese-based firm  HLC.

" The county will now have to make a case against the proposal at the public inquiry "
Janet Williams campaigner

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the public gallery to hear the verdict on Tuesday.

Chris Pilsbury from TCC - the community group opposed to the scheme - was overjoyed by the result.

"This is a good day for democracy - we're delighted," she said.

The Welsh Assembly Government had already announced it intended to hold a public inquiry into the proposed site, which could handle more than 100,000 tonnes of waste each year.

While the final decision will be made in Cardiff, Wrexham Council's vote will be taken into consideration.

Janet Williams from Cefn Mawr said everyone had been taken back by the council decision.

"I must admit we didn't expect this result because the council have been so determined right the way through to support this proposal.
"The county will now have to make a case against the proposal at the public inquiry."

" I can't possibly support it when there is a risk, no matter how small or how great "
Councillor Ron Davies

One of the opponents of the project, Nia Higginbotham, said she was pleased with the result.

"I'm flabbergasted and delighted that sense has been seen at last.
"Wrexham has stopped passing the buck and taken the bull by its horns and made a decision," she said.

The council met to vote on the issue last week, but then asked to look at the scheme's proposed site once again.

The proposal has faced fierce criticism from local people on health grounds.

Councillor Bob Dutton said he had no choice but to vote against the application.

"I am concerned that we have had 13,000 signatures against this application.

"We should not support this application because of the risk."

Fellow councillor Ron Davies added: "I can't possibly support it when there is a risk, no matter how small or how great.

"I can't support it because it may affect the lives of people now or in the future," he said.

The council's chief planning officer, Lawrence Isted, said the report into the waste recovery centre ruled that any health risk was
"negligible".

Steve Burnett from HLC, the company behind the incinerator scheme, said the plans could still get the go ahead from Cardiff
following the public inquiry next year.

He added that a planned contract for HLC to dispose of Wrexham Authority's waste would still stand, even though councillors
rejected it at the planning stage.

The council has acknowledged that improvements have to be made for waste collection in the county.

If the incinerator had been given the go-ahead, the new plant could have dealt with 120,000 tonnes of waste each year.
 

Related to this story:
Incinerator decision delayed by council (12 Nov 02 | Wales) Inquiry ordered into incinerator plan (06 Nov 02 | Wales) Petition
against incinerator plans (14 Jan 02 | Wales) Incinerator row fanned by debate delay (18 Oct 01 | Wales) Incinerator protest
dominates election (07 Sep 01 | Wales) Incinerator protestors hold up work (20 Nov 02 | Wales)