§ Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the practice of farmers spreading sewage supplied by water authorities on their land; what regulating controls there are; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe use of sewage sludge in agriculture is controlled by the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 which were made, as respects England, by my right546W hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and which are complemented by a code of practice. The regulations, which implement EC directive 86/278/EEC, specify the requirements to be observed before and after use including analysis of the sludge and soil. So far this year my Department has received six letters on this question, mostly concerning the need to minimise any public health risk.