In a European Parliament debate on how to prevent illegal waste shipments, GUE/NGL MEP Sabine Wils said that inspection plans should be drawn up by member states.

It is estimated that currently 50% of waste shipments are illegal.

Wils said: “These plans must be made public on a mandatory basisand should encompass both inspections and on-the-spot inspections.”

However, she expressed doubts about the practicalities of these inspections which can be costly and labour intensive: “Without making more money available we could see port-hopping – or going to different ports where inspections are less stringent.”

She called on member states to ensure that illegal waste shipments can be pursued, “even to the point of closing down businesses”.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
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