COMPANY MUST PROVE PROPOSED MADLEY RECYCLING PLANT WOULD WORK - KEETCH

5.45.31pm GMT Tue 13th Jan 2004

Commenting on continuing concern from local residents about Estech Europe Ltd's proposed waste treatment plant in Madley, local Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch said:

"It seems to me that there are two key issues: firstly, whether this technology actually works, and secondly if Madley is the right site. I have grave doubts about the latter point, but I think that it is only right to meet Estech and let them prove that the technology works.

"For this reason I have accepted an invitation from Estech Europe Ltd to view a demonstration of the proposed waste treatment process in the next few days.

"Before we start rattling off alternative sites, I think that we have to determine if this recycling method is viable in the light of some of the reports that have come out about the technology being untried."

Mr Keetch has tabled Parliamentary Questions on the issue, but has expressed disappointment that the Government responses have been less than helpful:

"I am not qualified to make comprehensive judgements about technology of this kind, so I had hoped that the Government would provide some answers. Unfortunately the DTI simply said that they had no policies regarding the recycling method, and had no contact with Estech. Hopefully by meeting the company I can begin to get some answers.

"I have recently received a document that discusses Estech's recycling technology in the context of communities in New York State. That report expresses concern about the system and I will raise some of those concerns with Estech when I meet them: is the process proposed for Herefordshire the same as that discussed in the American document? If it is a different type of facility or process, how is it different?

"I also intend to write to the Department of Trade and Industry to request a proper technical assessment of the proposed facility before the process in Herefordshire goes any further.

"Any plant would have to be situated so that local transport and environment concerns are dealt with. We also need to ensure that Estech's proposed plant is the appropriate sort of facility for the community's recycling needs."