§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new guidelines have been produced by his Department to local authorities on the provision of facilities for animal waste disposal following the publication of the fourth report of the Agriculture Committee, Session 1990–91, HC 493, on disposal of fallen livestock.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Government reply to this report—Cm 1778—made it clear that it did not believe that it would be appropriate for local authorities to take on new functions on disposal of fallen livestock within their areas of responsibility either voluntarily or as a legal duty. The Department has issued codes of good agricultural practice for the protection of water and air which contain advice to anyone including local authorities on the disposal of animal carcases.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken by his Department since 1991 to tighten legal controls over the disposal of fallen stock.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Animal By-Products Order 1992 came into effect on 1 January 1993. This requires anyone disposing of fallen animal carcases to ensure that they are either processed in establishments approved or registered for such purposes, buried or burned.
The order increases the penalties that can be imposed on those found to be disposing and dumping fallen stock illegally.