The National Waste Programme publishes a range of waste metrics to track progress and ensure that expected programme benefits are being delivered.

The metrics demonstrate:

• the successful diversion of waste away from disposal to the LLW Repository
• the optimal use of key national assets, such as the LLWR site and waste treatment facilities
• the safety and environmental performance of the National Programme.

The following site has exceeded the EU ozone public information threshold of 180 µg/m3:

• Bournemouth: µg/m3 – 16:00 BST

Public Health England advises that some people are more sensitive to ozone than others and may begin to notice an effect on their breathing. People with asthma are not necessarily more sensitive but, if affected, can use their ‘reliever’ inhaler to alleviate symptoms.

If affected, people are urged to take sensible precautions. In particular, avoiding exercise outdoors in the afternoon can reduce individual exposure to ozone.

If the legal threshold for ozone is again breached, further alerts will be issued on our website.

Forecasts, latest measurements and health advice are available on UK Air and via Defra’s freephone helpline (0800 556677). Updates on current and forecast levels of air pollution can also be found on Twitter (@DefraUKAir).

Further information:

• Ground level ozone is not emitted from any man-made sources in any significant quantities. It is formed when sunlight acts on nitrogen dioxide and other atmospheric substances close to the ground. The pollutants that cause ground level ozone come from a range of sources, including petrol and other fuels
• This alert has been triggered by a forecast of a HIGH level of ozone where significant health effects may be noticed by sensitive individuals, and action to avoid or reduce these effects may be needed. The EU Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) requires member states to provide information to the public when this level is reached
• Details of the Air Quality Index which classifies pollution as Low, Moderate, High, or Very High and gives health advice
• Information on the health effects of air pollution from the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)

The Environment Agency proposes to have new and revised standard rules environmental permits to cover operation of medium combustion plant (MCP) and emission controls on generators.

The standards within the rule sets have already been imposed by the Medium Combustion Plant Directive and Specified Generator Regulations and are being implemented through the rules. They contain additional rules on the objectives that need to be achieved, such as management of the MCP or generator.

We are asking for your views on whether the use of new standard rules are appropriate for the environmental permitting of MCPs and specified generators. We also welcome your views on the use of a single standard permit issued to a specific operator for a number of MCPs at different locations.

We will use your responses to help develop the standard rules sets. We aim to publish the new standard rules sets in July 2018.

The new standard rules permits are an efficient way of regulating for both operators and the Environment Agency. They will also protect the environment from pollution.

Mark Anthony Walsh, 57, of Maidstone Drive, Marton, Middlesbrough, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 2 May, where he pleaded guilty to burning waste at Thorpe Larches in Sedgefield.

He was fined £5,800, ordered to pay £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, Simon Crowder told the court that on 5 December 2016, the Environment Agency received information from Durham County Council about possible waste burning taking place on land at Beechgrove at Thorpe Larches in Sedgefield.

The following day two Environment Agency enforcement officers went to the property and spoke to Walsh, who said he had been burning waste packing which he had produced as a result of renovations on his own property. They left information with Walsh about the Environment Agency role and powers but did not see any evidence of burning.

In February 2017, the council contacted the Environment Agency to say they had received further complaints about burning waste at the land.

In March 2017, they received further information about fires at the address and attended the scene on two occasions. During one of the visits they saw no one was present with the fire. The waste pile was estimated to measure 5m by 2.5m and contained partially burnt household items along with a plastic wheelie bin, tin cans, garden waste, waste paper, metal springs and household electrical items.

During interview on 4 May that year Walsh said he only burnt bedding from the pig sty. Paul Whitehill, from the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

The evidence, including images and visits by our enforcement officers, shows Walsh burning waste on his land illegally.

Environmental laws are there to protect the environment and community and Walsh deliberately flouted those laws, putting the environment at risk. I’d encourage people to report waste crime to us so that we can investigate and take any necessary action.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and former England cricketer and wildlife campaigner Kevin Pietersen have today (Friday 4 May) teamed up for a visit to see the important role Border Force plays in fighting the illegal wildlife trade at Heathrow Airport.

After receiving a briefing from illegal wildlife trade experts in the Border Force team, Mr Johnson and Mr Pietersen were shown confiscated items which people have tried to smuggle through customs and are now housed in Heathrow Airport’s ‘dead shed’.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

The illegal wildlife trade is a vile and loathsome crime with organised gangs and criminal scum at the very heart of it. Not only is it wiping out wildlife populations, it is also robbing communities of sustainable incomes and damaging economies across Africa and Asia, all for the senseless demand in live animals and wildlife products for trinkets and quack medicines.

Border Force is doing incredible work stopping these items from ending up on the black market here in the UK but more can and must be done on a global scale if we are going to stamp this crime out for good. That’s why we are bringing world leaders together for an international conference this autumn, to find a way to save our charismatic megafauna and endangered species before it is too late.

I applaud the work that Kevin and other wildlife campaigners are doing to raise awareness of the plight of endangered rhinos across Africa and Asia.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen said:

Stopping the illegal wildlife trade is the only way we will save those endangered species which are on the brink of extinction.

In South Africa close to three rhinos are illegally killed every single day. It’s shameful that the world is just sitting back and watching as whole species are being wiped out.

I support the vital work going on by governments around the world to tackle this issue head on but we need action now to halt the demand for the illegal wildlife trade before we see species wiped out for good.

October’s conference will focus on tackling the illegal wildlife trade as a serious organised crime, building coalitions and closing illegal wildlife markets.

Further information

• Follow the Foreign Secretary on Twitter @BorisJohnson and Facebook

• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook

• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn