The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has issued short-term extensions for waste disposal licenses while working toward long-term solutions.
Minister Clare Barber was speaking during an Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee hearing.
When questioned by Chris Thomas about waste management challenges, Mrs Barber stated: “Short term licences cannot become a long term solution.”
She also acknowledged current difficulties, saying: “We have some areas of problematic waste that are presenting an immediate challenge on top of that wider conversation about waste management for the island.”
Collaboration
The minister highlighted collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure (DOI), noting: “We’re continuing to work with DOI in terms of looking at how we can support them to deliver outcomes that achieve the right future position.”
However, she added: “They’re unfortunately even more under resourced than they were when we met last year.”
Regarding specific waste issues, Mrs Barber explained: “We have in good faith issued short term extensions for disposal licences for specific products in terms of storage to allow works to continue.”
She also emphasized these are temporary measures, stating: “Those are all predicated on the understanding that there absolutely will be a more permanent solution.”
Chris Thomas MHK pressed for details on strategic waste management, to which Mrs Barber responded: “Certainly it’s an area where we have to get a hold of this.”
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