THE Gwent AM who received a chilly reception when he raised concerns about new fridge laws has slammed the Assembly's interim solution as "pathetic".

Monmouth AM David Davies (pictured) has been campaigning for the government to take action as a result of a new EU law which comes into effect on January 1.

The law ensures that before discarded fridges can be scrapped or recycled, they must be treated to prevent the release of global-warming CFC gasses into the environment. He believes it will cause huge expense to local authorities.

Now Welsh environment minister Sue Essex has announced that councils will receive £600,000 to cover the cost of the new regulation. Mr Davies said: "I called for the Assembly governme nt to supply money to local authorities to deal with the problems in the budget debate back in October.

"I was drowned out by howls of laughter when I said it would cost an absolute fortune. "But £600,000 for all 22 authorities is pathetic, frankly. She obviously hasn't grasped the scale of the problem."

The funding is subject to approval in a debate at the Assembly on January 15. Mr Davies became aware of the problems posed by the new EU fridge disposal regulations through the experience of Gilwern company Border Refrigeration and Domestics.

Owner Fred Probert told the Argus in October that his business was under threat from the legislation. He had already laid off three of his nine staff as a result. His company exports unwanted fridges to the third world, but as 75% of these contain CFCs the EU rules put this at threat.

Announcing the money, Ms Essex said: "It is vital that old fridges are disposed of safely and the new regulation will help ensure that ozone-depleting substances are not released from them."

As well as the cash, which will cover costs until the end of the financial year in March, the Assembly is also issuing guidance to councils about storing the fridges, and a leaflet for the public about safe disposal.