§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made an assessment of the quantities of plastic contained in sewage sludge dumped in the sea and what effect the presence of plastic has on(a) the marine environment and (b) the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe Ministry's monitoring of sewage sludge disposal grounds has identified a significant quantity of litter only at the Tyne disposal ground. This litter contains a small percentage of plastic material. Litter presents an aesthetic problem in the marine environment. It is an unpleasant inconvenience for fishermen whose gear becomes contaminated. The Ministry has required the holder of the disposal licence to instal effective new screening to prevent litter from contaminating the sludge. Screening is now in place at one of the two treatment works concerned, and will shortly be completed at the remaining works.