HL Deb 27 March 1991 vol 527 cc1071-2

3.3 p.m.

Baroness Masham of Ilton asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they propose to help those who are experiencing increasing difficulty in the hygienic disposal of farm animal carcasses, particularly those of horses and ponies belonging to children and people with no land for burial, given the closure of many knackers' yards and the increasing costs involved.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)

My Lords, we are conscious of the potential problems of fallen animals and are helping in several ways. In particular, we have ensured that the animal by-products sector is now eligible for EC marketing grants; we have agreed with the NRA advice to farmers on safe disposal to avoid pollution; and, we are funding a programme of research. There are adequate outlets for disposal of animal carcasses, but anyone experiencing difficulties with disposal should contact their waste disposal authority, which will be able to advise.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply. However, is she aware that there is great concern about the matter throughout Scotland, England and Wales? Is she further aware that there could he a great public health problem as regards anthrax, Weil's Disease and various other diseases £even the plague £if carcasses are buried in the soil and consequently affect our water facilities?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I am aware that there are worries about this matter. However, I must tell the noble Baroness that it remains the owner's responsibility to dispose of dead animals wherever they lie. But, if they become a public health risk, the local environmental health authority has powers to arrange for the disposal and the recovery of costs from the owner where that is possible.

Lord Boardman

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that it is only due to the action of local hunts in many parts of the country that the collection and disposal of fallen livestock has become possible, thus reducing the danger to public health and to the environment?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, the hunts move in harmony with the farmers on the matter.

Baroness Nicol

My Lords, is it not the case that the latest EC directive classifies fallen animals as "high risk waste"? Can the Minister say how many establishments suitable for the disposal of high risk waste are available to farmers? Further, can she say whether they are spread geographically in such a way as to be easily accessible? If not, would it not be helpful for the Government to make some arrangement for collection until the knackers' yards get back into business?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, if it had not been for the successful outcome which we achieved in Brussels over the EC directive on the disposal of animal waste, the UK knacker industry would not have been permitted to continue. We averted that threat to our knacker industry. I should point out that there are still about 110 knackers in the United Kingdom. They are all facing difficulties, but most of them are finding ways of covering their running costs in order to stay in business.

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, I trust that the Minister will recall sending me a copy of her right honourable friend's letter of 31st January last regarding fallen animals. She will no doubt recall that that letter acknowledged the problems which currently exist for knackers and renderers. However, since that time the difficulties have increased because BSE remains and with it the resultant restrictions which were imposed. Can the noble Baroness say whether the major research project to which she referred this afternoon, and to which the letter also referred, is likely to produce a solution to the problem in the near future? If that is not the case, will she ask her right honourable friend to consider the introduction of an insurance scheme for the disposal of fallen animals?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, as regards the last part of the noble Lord's question, the answer is no. As to the first part, I can tell him that about £465,000 has been allocated to research funded by MAFF, the industry and the EC Commission into possible ways of deactivating the agent causing BSE. If that is successful, it will increase the value of rendered products and hence improve the viability of the industry.

Noble-Lords: Order!

Lord Waddington

My Lords, it does not please me to have to intervene on three occasions in one afternoon. However, 30 minutes have now elapsed since we started Question Time.