To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on implementation of the EU Landfill Directive; (211440)

The requirements of the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) and Council Decision (2003/33/EC) have already been fully transposed into national legislation. The measures were variously introduced in regulations in 2002, 2004 and 2005 and these provisions have been consolidated through the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007.

Article 5.2 of the directive has been transposed through the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 and Landfill Allowances and Trading Scheme (England) Regulations 2004.

I have not held any discussions with the EU since the implementation of the Landfill Directive.