To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on encouraging the generation of energy from waste oils; and if he will make a statement. (319195)

I have been asked to reply.

DEFRA’s policy on waste oils is set out in the revised Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC). In accordance with the directive, the recovery of energy from waste oil is fourth in the priority order known as the waste hierarchy. The regeneration of waste oil into base oil by re-refining is classed as recycling and is third in the hierarchy. Waste disposal, which includes incineration without energy recovery, is at the bottom as the least preferred option.

We are currently considering the responses to the stage one consultation on the transposition of the revised Waste Framework Directive, including the provisions in article 4 on the waste hierarchy and article 21 on waste oils. The stage two consultation will comprise a draft of the transposing regulations and an impact assessment.