Whether the European Union has initiated infraction proceedings in respect of the Executive regarding waste management matters; if so, why …

Five infraction cases against the UK are relevant to management of waste in Scotland:Waste Framework Directive (1975/442/EEC & 1991/156/EC). A Reasoned Opinion under Article 226 of the EC Treaty was received in July 2001 and the Commission took the decision to refer the case to the European Court of Justice in June 2002. Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC). A Reasoned Opinion was received in April 2002 and the Commission took the decision to refer the case to the European Court of Justice in June 2002.Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC). A Reasoned Opinion was received in July 2001 and the Commission took the decision to refer the case to the European Court of Justice in June 2002.Waste Oils Directive (75/439/EEC). A Reasoned Opinion was received in November 2001 and the Commission took the decision to refer the case to the European Court of Justice in June 2002.End of Life Vehicles Directive (00/53/EC). A Reasoned Opinion was received in October 2002.As these matters are the subject of legal proceedings it would not be appropriate to comment further. The Scottish Executive is unable to estimate when these proceedings will come to an end. In addition, the European Court of Justice ruled, on 24 January 2002, that the UK's waste management plans in 1999 were not adequate to comply with relevant provisions of the Waste Framework, Hazardous and Packaging Wastes Directives.