George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2020-2022, will address the TRA Forum this September 

The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) is delighted to announce George Eustice, the former DEFRA Secretary, will deliver the keynote speech at its annual gathering on Tuesday, 24 September. Those attending the day will hear from the last administration’s the longest-serving DEFRA minister. Mr Eustice held numerous ministerial positions in the Environment department from 2013 until he stepped down as Secretary of State following the arrival of Liz Truss as Prime Minister in 2022. 

For those attending the TRA’s annual day, held in Leamington Spa, Mr. Eustice will tell his audience of the realities of government, the challenges, opportunities, and frustrations of running a government department. TRA members and press attending will have the chance to participate in the Q&A that will follow the address. It will provide an opportunity to learn from the insights and experience of one of the most dedicated politicians to serve the DEFRA brief in living memory.  

As Minister of State, Mr. Eustice held responsibilities that included better regulation, science and innovation, and trade. The role of Secretary of State has specific oversight of the Environment Agency and the rules which they enforce, including around waste and used tyres.

It is anticipated Mr. Eustice’s keynote speech will address some of the pressing concerns facing industry operators, including whole tyre exports (in particular concerns raised in both Britain and India), changes to international waste regulations, and, domestically, the end of T8 exemptions. 

The keynote will be a great opportunity to better understand the barriers to achieving the political ambition for a circular economy and regulatory reform outside of the EU.

No doubt the audience will also hear what challenges Labour’s new government will face in creating the new roadmap to move Britain to a zero-waste economy committed to by Steve Reed, the new Environment Secretary, in the last month.  

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said; “The TRA is very excited to be welcoming George Eustice to our annual briefing day in September. Having worked as a DEFRA minister for nine years there are few better placed to provide the insight and wisdom of government to our members. 

“We will be particularly interested to hear Mr Eustice talk about the barriers to regulatory reform and the most effective means of securing change on the matters that cause operators such problems. It will also be an excellent opportunity to consider the future of Britain’s tyre recycling industry, looking at the impact of new technologies and innovation and the opportunities they will bring.”