XN000022-1996-11-27 — Page 46

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Reply:

(c) whether the Government has reviewed the Waste Disposal Ordinance to ascertain if the Ordinance can effectively stop the importation of waste from foreign countries into the territory; and whether consideration will be given to amending the Ordinance so as to enhance the powers of the departments concerned in enforcing the provisions of the Ordinance in this regard?

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

(c)

No. The waste was imported into Hong Kong in April 1996 before the requirement for an import permit under the Waste Disposal Ordinance came into effect on 1 September 1996.

The waste has not been dumped in Hong Kong. They are stored in the The Basel original 50 containers and kept in a container yard. Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal obliges a country of origin to take back wastes if a shipment cannot be completed. The Environmental Protection Department is liaising with the authorities concerned to enable the return of the waste as soon as possible.

After a review the Waste Disposal Ordinance was amended in 1995 to require a permit for the import and export of hazardous and contaminated waste, as well as for the import and export of non- hazardous and uncontaminated waste for disposal. The new provisions We will monitor the came into force on 1 September 1996.

effectiveness of these new controls in the coming months and, if necessary, consider additional measures.

End