§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the locations his Department is(a) using and (b) considering using for the storage of the remains of cattle aged 30 months or over following processing of carcasses at rendering plants prior to final disposal; what is the estimated (a) maximum and (b) minimum periods these remain will be at these storage sites; and if he will make a statement. [31557]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe Intervention Board executive agency is currently storing the resultant material from animals rendered under the 30-month scheme at stores in Exeter, Belfast, Liverpool and Gloucestershire.
439WOther locations will be considered in due course as it becomes apparent that more storage facilities are required. As announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 16 April, a number of options for the disposal of meat and bonemeal produced at plants are under active consideration and in all cases full weight will be given to protecting the environment. The options include incineration and energy recovery. The period of storage will vary between stores and will be dependent upon the final disposal route chosen.