SHOP TALK
Page 99
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• Politicians believe the environment is a big issue with the electorate and road transport is a perennial whipping boy for the Government. Put the two together with an election on the horizon and what have you got? Legislation proposed by politicians with their brains in the ballot box, and laws that could have been drafted by public relations companies.
It is by this ludicrous process that the Secretary of State's Guidance — Respraying of Road Vehicles was achieved. Following its logic we must conclude that 11,000 paintshops each using just under two tonnes of solvent don't damage the environment as much as a few hundred using more than that arbitrary limit.
Large or small users that allow solvent releases in to the atmosphere are polluters and should be compelled to take all reasonable steps to reduce the level of pollution. If all paintshops had to register, the same financial burden would fall on each and their customers would have no option but to pay.
As proposed, this legislation will simply make the larger paintshops less competitive and encourage the growth of "Freds in the sheds". Such companies are well known for lax health and safety measures and a total lack of environmental consideration. So just why is this legislation being forced through against the industry's wishes? To catch polluters, or woo voters?