The EU needs a single agency to enforce union waste laws and oversee facilities in countries that break environmental laws, according to a new report.The study ordered by the European Commission recommends the creation of one body to regulate actions on waste across all member states, in order to make sure all countries are meeting 2020 targets for recycling and landfill reduction.An additional body would be created to oversee inspections and take control of sites that violate the legislation. The report's authors claim that there is no 'infrastructure' in some member states to handle waste and significant illegal dumping activity continues without penalties.A key problem identified by the report was that member states had different interpretations of EU directives on reducing waste. The casual attitude towards the legislation was reflected in how many countries did not have programmes in place to meet EU targets.The analysis concluded: "With better enforcement, governments and taxpayers in some member states would face a lower burden for the future clean-up costs of illegal waste activities and sub-standard landfills. Related health and environmental costs would be reduced. "Moreover, full implementation and enforcement of EU waste legislation is expected to bring further benefits, including lower greenhouse gas emissions."http://tinyurl.com/ydm7btm
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