§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take to reduce the contamination of sewage sludge by persistent or toxic substances, which accumulate in living organisms.
§ Mr. GummerThe presence of such contaminants in sewage sludge disposed of at sea is permitted in only trace quantities to avoid harm to the marine environment. Extraction of such trace quantities is not practicable. Further reduction in contaminant levels must therefore be achieved by water authorities through their controls on trade discharges to sewers, in the context of Government policy to bring about a substantial reduction in the inputs of dangerous substances to rivers and estuaries by 1995.