§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions have been made for the disposal of List I and List II substances under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 when it is necessary to use them at short notice due to animal welfare considerations or other unforeseen circumstances. [66587]
§ Mr. Meale[holding answer 19 January 1999]I have been asked to reply.
The requirements for prior authorisation for disposals to land (subject to the exemptions specified) are of universal application under the Groundwater Regulations 1998. It would therefore be prudent for those who may need to undertake disposal at short notice to apply in advance for appropriate authorisation. Under transitional arrangements applications for authorisations may be made now, prior to the Regulations coming into force.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on responsibility under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 for obtaining the appropriate authorisations under the new legislation, with particular regard to the disposal of spent sheep dip. [66594]
96W
§ Mr. Meale[holding answer 19 January 1999]I have been asked to reply.
Under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 it is the discharger who requires authorisation for a discharge. This is consistent with the Water Resources Act 1991, under which it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit any polluting matter to enter controlled waters, including groundwater—other than in accordance with a consent. Where the discharger and the landowner are not the same person, it will clearly be necessary for each to be aware of any authorisation and their consequent obligations.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what refund provisions there will be under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 for farmers who pay for an authorisation application on the basis of Environment Agency advice which is subsequently deemed unnecessary once the full guidance has been developed. [66588]
§ Mr. Meale[holding answer 19 January 1999]I have been asked to reply.
In line with the Environment Act 1995, Regulation 16 of the Groundwater Regulations 1998 provides for the Environment Agency to recover the costs of applications and prior investigations through a charging scheme. The Agency is responsible for the day to day operation of the charging scheme, and have indicated that where an application is made and the disposal is found to fall outside the scope of the Regulations, then the application fee will be refunded.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions have been made under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 for the disposal of List I and List II substances in large areas of exposed aquifers, with particular reference to the Cotswolds. [66586]
§ Mr. Meale[holding answer 19 January 1999]: I have been asked to reply.
The Goundwater Regulations 1998 apply throughout Scotland, England and Wales. It is not the intention of the Environment Agency in England and Wales and SEPA in Scotland to classify large areas of exposed aquifers, such as the Cotswolds, as unsuitable for disposal. However it is for these agencies to determine individual applications in the light of prior investigation of proposed disposal sites. Where authorisations cannot be granted it will be necessary for the applicant to identify alternative and acceptable disposal sites, alternative means of disposal or alternative methods of treatment for sheep which do not require disposals of waste products.