Minister calls for “swift end” to T8 Exemptions

After lobbying regulators to do more to prevent rogue operators using T8 exemptions as a cover for the illegitimate handling of Britain’s end-of-life tyres, the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has welcomed DEFRA’s February announcement suggesting the government department would act to end the current exemptions regime.

However, TRA has urged DEFRA secretary of state Thérèse Coffey MP to act speedily, pointing out that Scotland had already moved to eliminate exemptions seven years ago. In a response received from Rebecca Pow MP, DEFRA Minister for Environmental Quality and Resilience, the TRA was encouraged to learn that it is also the wish of government to now see swift progress in finally ending exemptions in both England and Wales and is moving to the necessary affirmative legislation to amend the 2016 Environmental Permitting Regulations:

“I was pleased to be able to publish the Government Response. The reforms will help to prevent dishonest operators from gaming the system and carrying out dangerous activities. Removing the T8 exemption will mean that treatment of end-life tyres will need a permit and that the Environment Agency will have resources to better ensure compliance. It will also remove the ability of illegitimate operators to hide behind the exemption which leads to damage to legitimate businesses and the environment. It is something that was strongly supported by respondents to the consultation.

TRA also recently urged the Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Jim McMahon MP; the Environment Agency; and the House of Commons Environment and Audit Committee to add their own voices of support. In the meantime, Alexander Sheffield, MP for Rother Valley and chair of the Environment and Audit committee, subsequently raised TRA’s concerns in the form of a parliamentary question.