§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the quantities of incinerated waste arising from the burning of cattle suspected of having BSE; at what sites this waste is located; and what are his Department's plans for final disposal of this waste. [20761]
§ Mr. RookerA typical BSE suspect carcase of about 480kg produces about 33kg of ash following incineration. Since records began in 1988, 189,812 carcases have been incinerated in Great Britain by MAFF Veterinary Investigation Centres and by commercial companies contracted by the Department, resulting in an estimated 6,264 tonnes of ash. It is normal practice for this ash to be landfilled in appropriately licensed sites. Records of these sites are not kept centrally within the Department. The policing and monitoring of such sites is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.