HC Deb 14 February 2001 vol 363 cc149-50W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if a Regulatory Impact Assessment will be undertaken before new standards and controls are introduced in respect of emissions from(a) incinerators of animal waste and (b) pet crematoria. [150010]

Mr. Hill

A Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken of the then proposed Waste Incineration Directive, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has since commissioned a study by ADAS Consulting to assess more accurately how many small animal carcase incinerators are in operation. A preliminary Regulatory Impact Assessment was issued by MAFF last November for the draft EU Animal By-Products Regulation. In addition, AEA Technology has been commissioned by MAFF to measure emissions at a representative sample of small animal waste incinerators to provide a firm basis for determining proportionate standards. MAFF will be making available the two studies when they are completed, subject to commercial confidentiality considerations.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the environmental benefits and disbenefits of using different fuels to incinerate animal waste. [150007]

Mr. Hill

None to my knowledge. The AEA Technology study referred to in the previous answer will examine incinerators using different fuels.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Services Ltd. concerning the development of UK standards for emissions from small incinerators of animal waste, in the context of the European Union Waste Incineration Directive and proposed animal waste directive; and if he will make a statement. [150008]

Mr. Hill

None to my knowledge.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to ensure that the pet crematoria industry is not economically damaged by EU measures. [150009]

Mr. Hill

Partly at the UK's behest, the adopted Waste Incineration Directive (2000/76/EC) excludes animal carcases from its scope.

As regards the current draft EU Animal By-Products Regulation, it is our aim in the negotiation of this regulation to secure requirements akin to those in the Waste Incineration Directive for animal carcase incinerators on premises where there is an incineration capacity of over 50kg/hr, and proportionate, less stringent, requirements where the incineration capacity is smaller. The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria will be among the interested organisations consulted during the negotiation of the regulation.