A moratorium on the building of all new incinerators, until British scientific research rules out a cancer risk, was called for yesterday by Archie Norman, the Tory party's environment spokesman. This will increase pressure on Michael Meacher, the environment minister, who is expected next week to give the go-ahead to a new chain of incinerators as part of the government's waste strategy.
The Tory party's policy appears to be aimed at opening up a new front against the government and seizing the green agenda in the same way that William Hague took on Tony Blair over law and order.
Alongside the ban on new incinerators are a host of policies traditionally associated with opposition from the Liberal Democrats.
These include the building of municipal composters - similar to the giant one on the Isle of Wight - and a commitment to recycling, including a guarantee that the local dustcart will provide a recycling service to every home in Britain.
The Tories promise more cash for local councils to increase recycling and end landfill dumping and a new "zero waste agency" to spearhead the initiative.
Householders will also be offered subsidised rainwater butts and composters to encourage recycling.
The new Conservative policy also calls for tougher penalties for companies caught illegally dumping waste and pledges to name and shame councils with poor recycling records.
It says: "We will introduce a moratorium on new incinerators until independent British scientific evidence proves they are safe. Labour have failed to meet the challenge of recycling... We propose a target that 50% of household waste should be recycled or composted by 2020."
Mr Norman said: "Labour have failed to stem the growth of waste in this country. As a result they want to build 165 incinerators on people's doorsteps. Following the US environmental protection agency report on the carcinogenic effect of dioxide produced by incineration, the government should bin their white paper and commission an independent report."
