BLIGHT OF ABANDONED CARS TO RETURN TO LONDON STREETS - LUDFORD

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 3rd Jun 2005

With regard to the ending in September, due to the government's refusal to renew funding, of the hugely successful London-wide scheme to remove abandoned cars ('Operation Scrap-It'), London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"This problem is caused by the government's failure to implement fully the EU law on recycling old bangers - which it signed up to - aimed at protecting the environment when they are scrapped."

"Had they immediately put the responsibility on manufacturers rather than on boroughs, the burden would not now be set to fall on local taxpayers."

"On the eve of World Environment Day (Sunday June 5th), I call on Tony Blair to give Londoners the full benefit of European eco-measures, not spoil them by an excessive regard for corporate profits."

Ends

Note: Car manufacturers claimed five years ago that the new law would bankrupt their industry, but the rise in steel prices means that they are now set to break even or make a profit out of car recycling. Under the EU End of Life Vehicles Directive, manufacturers must take responsibility from January 2007. But in the meantime Member States have the option to impose it, an option the UK has not taken up.