§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the respects in which the provisions in Scotland for the disposal of fallen and diseased animals diverge from those applying in the EC for(a) animal health and food hygiene and (b) the environment with particular reference to the possible pollution of water resources through on-farm burial and how it is monitored.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythDirective 90/667/EEC requires the carcases of fallen animals and those killed in the context of disease control measures to be disposed of by rendering, burning or proper burial. By means of a derogation the directive also permits the continuation of the traditional knacker trade until 1995 at least. The same disposal arrangements apply to such carcases in Scotland. Water pollution is monitored by the river purification authorities and it is an offence to dispose of animal carcases in a manner which causes such pollution.