§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the explanatory statements by two water authorities outlining the reasons behind the choice of the sea disposal option for toxic sewage sludge and the implications of changing to other outlets.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe scientific evidence is that sewage sludge dumped in the sea under Ministry controls is not toxic; its constituents are well within limits set by the international dumping conventions to ensure that no harm to the marine environment can be caused by their presence.
The explanatory statements by two water authorities outlining the reasons for their choice of the sea disposal option in recent years will be published in the first annual report on disposal of waste at sea which is in preparation. I expect the report to be published early next year.
It is important to keep the practicability of disposal options on land under review. I am therefore now asking all water authorities to make a reassessment of their disposal options for sewage sludge which currently goes to sea, including incineration, landfill and spreading on agricultural land.