TAIWAN WILL NOT PERMIT THE DUMPING OF WASTES IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

Press Release of Institute of Environment & Resources

TAIPEI, Taiwan, 22 May 2002 -- According to the reports of some foreign media within the past few days, a Taiwanese company has received permission from the Government of Solomon Islands to dump up to three millions tone of hazardous industrial waste from Taiwan on an Island in the Solomon Islands. However, some of the related sayings leading to the implication of Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA)'s attitude tend to be vague.

"It has been our law that we will never issue a permit to anyone who tries to export industrial waste to another country only for dumping but not for treatment." said the TEPA, "according to our WASTE DISPOSAL ACT, the exportation of industrial waste, hazardous or not, shall not be commenced until being approved by the government agency in charged of the work at municipal or county level. For those hazardous waste, the additional permit from TEPA is further required. Also, it has long been our policy that the exportation of industrial waste for the purpose of dumping, landfill or solidification is not allowed."

Actually, closely keeping up with the development of Basel Convention, Taiwan is consistently strengthening her legal framework and/or administration skill in controlling the illegal traffic or trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste. In addition to the newly modified "Hazardous Industrial Waste Import, Export, Transit, and Trans-shipment Management Measures," the online notification/ report system, on-site inspection and custom training programs, successfully contribute to Taiwan's effective implementation of Basel Convention recently.

The TEPA was firstly informed concerning the Solomon Islands related matter in the late November, 2001. Thereafter, significant attention has been cast on the move of the company in concern by the relevant government agencies, so as to prevent the possible illegal activities. So far, TEPA doesn't believe that there has been a real case as alleged by those foreign media, while the required approval proceeding is yet to be commenced.

The TEPA would like to remind all the related industries to carefully verify the possible false and/or misleading claim concerning the authority to transport the waste to Solomon Islands. Whoever in violation of Taiwan's law in so doing shall be held responsible to the penalty and must pay for the cleanup cost as well.

For More Information Contact:

Institute of Environment & Resources; http//:www. ier.org.tw