June 2009

At a joint meeting with the BLA Environment Committee, Lime Sector representatives and the Environment Agency, detailed  discussion resulted in very positive progress with the agency moving considerably towards the Lime sectors position.  Discussion centred on the permit review process, the planned timetable and approach for implementation.  The permitting review of the Lime and Cement sector is the first review of PPC (EPR) permits that the EA has undertaken.  A model approach to sectoral permit review has been developed by EA and the plan is to get all permits within the sector varied within 6 months.  The EA stressed that in the variations, a gradual process of moving towards BAT will be phased over several years. Submissions against the imposition of continuous monitoring for certain toxic elements requires the BLA to submit a generic response which, subject to sound argument, the EA will not insert any revised conditions.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact Gwil Neal by tel: 0207 9638000 or e-mail neal@mineralproducts.org

The BLA is a constituent body of the Mineral Products Association Ltd., the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete industries. The BLA represents the interests of six member companies, responsible for producing more than 95% of the lime sold in the UK. The BLA members are Hanson, Lhoist UK Ltd, Singleton Birch, Steetley Dolomite Ltd, Tarmac Buxton Lime & Cement UK and Totternhoe Lime and Stone Company Ltd.