Illegal scrap metal crackdown and boost for local steel industry

Stockton Liberal Democrats welcome the news that Members of the European Parliament have this week voted in favour of new measures that will boost Teesside's steel industry.

One of the key recommendations of the parliamentary report is a crackdown on the illegal scrap metal market by strengthening the capacity of states to carry out inspections of waste shipments to control illegal exports.

The new measures follow the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, supported by Liberal Democrat MPs in Westminster, which gave local authorities and police new powers to inspect premises where they suspect illegal activity.

Commenting on the report, Lib Dem MEP candidate Angelika Schneider said:

"I am pleased to see the EU taking action to curb the illegal scrap metal market. Developing the capacity to use scrap in the production process is vital, because it cuts the steel industry's reliance on raw materials and reduces the sector's environmental impact."