§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what mineral residues were discovered by his Agricultural Development Advisory Service in respect of discharges from Bentley colliery at Dam Hill drain; what action he is taking to stop them getting into the food chain in adjoining land; what discussions he has held with British Coal Property; and if he will make a statement. [34970]
§ Mr. BoswellI am aware of ADAS involvement in the analysis of dredgings on behalf of the Selby internal drainage board prior to application of the dredgings to land. The spreading of dredgings from inland waters to agricultural land is exempt from licensing under the DOE's Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. However, landspreading of such waste is subject to quantitative limits and must result in benefit to agriculture or ecological improvement. Landspreading must also be carried out without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which would harm the environment. It is the responsibility of the Environment Agency to ensure compliance with the regulations.