I have indicated that mandatory obligations will be introduced by way of regulation by April 2002 if there is no agreement. The Deputy is correct to express concern about the number of vehicles which have been abandoned. The annual figure for end-of-life vehicles has trebled in the past seven years, from 54,800 in 1993 to an estimated 175,000 in 2000.
It is estimated that about 75% of ELVs within the recovery system are recycled – this mainly involves the recovery of metal. Additional recovery capacity for vehicle fluids, used tyres, laminated glass, plastic components etc. will be required to ensure compliance with the directive's reuse and recycling targets. I am determined to have these measures in place through agreement before April if possible. If not, I will do so by way of mandatory regulation.