§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment if he will make it his policy(a) to impose a ban on all identified persistent organic pollutants and (b) to support the development of safer alternatives. [22225]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe UK has played a major role in developing a proposed protocol on persistent organic pollutants under the United Nations economic commission for Europe convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. The development of such a protocol involves the careful identification of potential persistent organic pollutants, their assessment and a consideration of the most appropriate action to control the identified risks. This will not always result in a total ban. In some cases, there may be an essential use of a substance which should be preserved. Each substance identified as a persistent organic pollutant will have to be judged on its own merit.
An expert working group of the intergovernmental forum on chemical safety will meet on 17 to 19 June 1996 to evaluate the availability, including costs and effectiveness, of safer substitutes. The Government will be taking an active role in developing the way forward.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to phase out the disposal of raw sewage and industrial waste in rivers and oceans. [22226]
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§ Mr. ClappisonCurrently, 96 per cent. of the UK population is connected to a sewage system and 83 per cent. of sewage is treated. In line with the requirements of the urban waste water treatment directive, an implementation programme, which includes the provision of treatment for all significant discharges of sewage, has been established. A copy of this programme is in the Library of the House.
The discharge of industrial waste from prescribed processes is controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. In issuing permits, it requires dischargers to apply the best available techniques not entailing excessive costs.