Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of measures to prevent the illegal export of electronic waste to developing countries.

The Environment Agency regulates the export of waste in England, including waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). There are a number of legal mechanisms in place to control exports of WEEE. These include

• A ban on exporting hazardous electrical waste from the UK to developing countries;

• A requirement to register with the Environment Agency if you export WEEE;

• A requirement to notify the Environment Agency if you export some types of WEE.

  The Environment Agency has increased the number of inspections of sites suspected of illegal waste exports and works in partnership with the Police, Border Agency and Interpol. The Environment Agency estimates that the amount of illegally exported electrical and household waste from England fell approximately 17% between 2014 and 2016. This reduction in illegal exports is estimated to have saved the UK economy £2.75 million over those two years. The Environment Agency continues to review its strategy and intelligence to further reduce illegal exports.