§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the costs of removing oestrogenic substances from sewage treatment works effluents. [25623]
§ Angela EagleOestrogenic and other endocrine disrupting substances are being given high priority by the Government. Several Departments are co-operating in research to develop our understanding of this complex issue, and my Department' s forthcoming strategic review of the sustainable use of chemicals will examine policy on all chemicals including endocrine disrupters.
On 21 January, the Environment Agency issued a draft strategy on endocrine disrupting substances, including oestrogen, seeking views on what action it should take. The strategy considers the evidence for the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment, the mechanisms for control and the priorities for further research.
Against this general background, the Government have made no estimates of the costs of removing oestrogenic substances from effluent from sewage treatment works since the environmental and health impacts of specific substances remain unclear.