THE UK has turned down a request to take Guernsey’s waste. It casts doubt on the short-term option of exporting to France to buy more landfill life at Mont Cuet.

Without it, there could be only about three years’ life left at the tip by the time the island commissions a plant to deal with the rubbish – two years less than the recommendation contained in the panel of inquiry report. Environment is this month expected to take a report to the States detailing the French option.

Minister Bernard Flouquet had to respond to a challenge by Deputy Charles Parkinson in the States about its stance on export.

‘I do not believe we have ever said that it is impossible to export waste,’ said Deputy Flouquet.

‘What I have said is that export would be against our commitment under the Basel Convention and would be open to legal challenge.’

He added that that remained so.

‘We still do not have a licence from the French to export waste and the UK on refusing our request for export has recently said: ﾓWe are not satisfied that your circumstances meet the requirements of Article 19 (3) of the Waste Shipments Regulation ‘the Basel Convention’ in that you have not demonstrated that Guernsey cannot reasonably acquire the technical capacity and the necessary facilities in order to dispose of the waste in an environmentally sound manner.ﾔ ‘

The request was made about a month ago.

It could cost £12m. over four years to export waste to France and it remains to be seen if the House would spend that much in tough financial times.

The department also plans to bring its preferred generic solution to the States in December.

Environment has been in discussion with a leading French commercial waste operator and needs States approval before progressing the issue further. If accepted, provisions for export are made under annually renewable agreements.

Transfer facilities would probably be limited to open-air shredding and baling at Mont Cuet followed by container shipment.

Deputy Parkinson raised the option of export to Germany when the States debated Deputy Scott Ogier’s requete, which put on hold plans for an £80m. incinerator.

An offer from Mindest SA to set up a deal with Hamburg was followed up, but the company said the situation in Germany had changed dramatically and it was difficult now to find attractive conditions.