§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions had been taken by his Department since the publication of the seventh report of the Royal Commission on environmental protection in response to its recommendations in respect of(a) independent assessments of the performance of waste treatment plant, (b) the resources needed by the farm waste unit and (c) the need for a review of the advisory material on waste management.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department provides a service to manufacturers for the independent assessment of the performance of waste treatment equipment and storage facilities. In 1987, the farm and countryside service was established within ADAS and the farm waste unit was incorporated within the mechanisation discipline of that service. This has strengthened the Ministry's ability to provide advice on environmental issues including farm waste disposal. The Department published, in 1985, the code of good agricultural practice which provides guidance to farmers on ways to reduce the risk of farm pollution of water courses.