§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for laying down guidelines and a code of practice to enable local authorities and industry to deal with odour problems in an effective and efficient manner, as recommended by the Working Party on Odours in its Second Report.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI fully accept the working party's view that there is a general need for guidance on odour control, and a code of practice dealing with the specific problem of odours caused by the animal by-products processing industry is already in preparation. Further guidelines and codes of practice will be issued in due course as the results of the Warren Spring Laboratory's research and development programme on odour control become available.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for reviewing the legal position with regard to offensive trades and odour nuisance, as proposed 393W by the Working Party on Odours in its Second Report.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI am considering how best to apply the working party's recommendations, including that for a review of the legal position with regard to offensive trades and odour nuisance. A number of meetings with the animal by-products industry and the local authority associations have already taken place.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he accepts the recommendation in the Second Report of the Working Party on Odours published by his Department on 1st May 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI welcome this report and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the working party for their work. The report is particularly valuable in advancing the knowledge of odour measurement and setting out clearly and comprehensively the best practicable means available to industry for dealing with odours. The detailed recommendations are now being studied within the Department.