20 December 2002
In a report published this week, Protecting the public from waste, the NAO criticises the Environment Agency for wasting resources on unnecessary inspections and for failing to deal effectively with site operators who persistently fail to comply with their licences.
In 2001/02, the report says, the agency carried out more than 100,000 inspections of sites at a cost of around £17m. 'There is no evidence that this high frequency of inspections, covering all licensed sites, is required to deliver effective regulation,' it says.
Dealing with fly-tipping cost local authorities £50m-£150m, it estimates – information is not collated nationally, the NAO notes.
The report recommends that the agency carries out more in-depth inspections, deals firmly with persistent offenders and reviews controls over sites exempt from the licensing requirement.
PFdec2002