CPI director of external affairs Kathy Bradley said the CPI was pleased the investigation would continue, having long campaigned for tighter monitoring of the PRN and PERN systems and the need for accurate statistics.

In May, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said it was setting up a six-strong taskforce of industry experts and accountants following a request by the then environment minister Michael Meacher (PrintWeek, 9 May).

Although current environment minister Elliot Morley said the team found no inappropriate operations to warrant criminal proceedings, there was evidence that the wood packaging waste recycling figures, the first to come under scrutiny, had been overstated in 2002.

As a result of the investigations the wood packaging waste recycling figures will be reduced by 76,400 tonnes.

We want to ensure the data is credible and that the PRN/PERN system and the UKs ability to meet the directive targets is not undermined, Morley said.

(*) The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) plans to enlarge its management team with the creation of a new position of chief operating officer, reporting to chief executive Jennie Price.

The role will encompass overall responsibility for four of WRAPs key operational areas - its materials, business and procurement, waste minimisation and collection programmes.