§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ask Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to make any additions to its guidance relating to pilot plant emissions and novel processes following the appeal by ICI against the setting of quantitative release limits for its HFC32 experimental production unit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe appeal by ICI has yet to be determined by the Secretary of State, and therefore no further advice can be given in relation to this appeal at this stage.
However, as a general principle, it is reasonable to set quantitative limits for all prescribed processes, after due consideration of all credible potential releases. If, due to the novel nature of a process, greater awareness of release limits improves with operation, then the authorisation 494W may be amended to reflect this. In line with Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's precautionary approach to pollution control, quantitative release limits are required in order to demonstrate compliance, through monitoring, with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, particularly the requirement to apply best available techniques not entailing excessive cost/best practical environmental options.