§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (I) what guidelines his Department has published for the disposal of paper pulp; [29271]
(2) what discussions he has had with ADAS with regard to the disposal of paper pulp by spreading on land; [29272]
(3) what representations he has received regarding problems caused by the disposal of paper pulp at Thieveley Pike, Cliviger, Burnley; [29273]
(4) if he will call for an inquiry into environmental damage at Thieveley Pike, Cliviger, Burnley caused by the spreading of paper pulp; and if he will make a statement. [29274]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordResponsibility for the enforcement of waste management controls rests with waste regulation authorities such as Lancashire county council. It is an offence under section 33(1)(a) or (b) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deposit, recover or dispose of controlled waste without a waste management licence or contrary to the conditions of a licence exemption. It is also an offence under section 33(1)(c) of the 1990 Act to carry out these activities in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.
We have provided exemptions from licensing in schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. Subject to certain conditions, paragraph 7 of schedule 3 exempts the spreading of de-inked paper sludge on land used for agriculture. The exemption applies only where the actively results in benefit to agriculture or ecological improvement and the waste regulation authority for the area are provided with information about the spreading.
We have provided guidance on this exemption in DOE circular 11/94 paragraph 5.66–5.86. I understand that Lancashire county council, as waste regulation authority for the area, is aware of the incident referred to by the hon. Member and has taken appropriate action. The Department has received no representation about the incident.
The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food has published codes of good agricultural practice for the protection of water in 1991 and for soil in 1993. The Department is also considering with MAFF the provision of technical guidance on the spreading of waste on land. In this context, officials have held discussions with ADAS and other consultants.