Russian Parliament Fails to Override Veto

The Federation Council Upper House of Russian parliament has failed to override the Russian president's veto on the federal law "On state regulation of the export of nonferrous metals scrap and waste". It takes at least 126 votes to override the veto. When the matter was put to a recent vote, 74 senators voted for the bill.

The bill introduced temporary restriction on the export of nonferrous metals scrap and waste until January 1, 2005. Its aim was to check uncontrolled export of nonferrous metals scrap and waste.

The bill was initially passed by the State Duma lower house last November and endorsed by the Federation Council in December. The president, however, vetoed the bill.

Early last month, the State Duma repeatedly discussed the bill, endorsed in the previously adopted wording and over rode the presidential veto. The senators, however, deemed that restrictions on the export of nonferrous metals scrap and waste till January 1, 2005, do address the main problem connected with thefts of nonferrous metals and taking them out of Russia.

In this connection the Upper House asked the president to endorse a set of measures aimed at a radical solution of the problem regarding nonferrous metals scrap and waste circulation in Russia.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the Russian government endorsed provisions on licensing the activity to collect, reprocess and sell ferrous and nonferrous metals scrap. They will operate in full volume until the federal law on licensing is passed. Tass