HC Deb 25 March 1996 vol 274 cc460-1W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of tons of waste material produced by the farming industry each year. [21389]

Mr. Boswell

It is estimated that approximately 80 million tons of animal manure is produced each year on farms in the United Kingdom, most of which is recycled back to agricultural land. Estimates for other waste materials generated on farms are not available.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department provides to farmers on the safe removal or recycling of waste material from farm processes. [21388]

Mr. Boswell

Detailed guidance for farmers on the safe disposal or recycling of agricultural wastes is contained in the Ministry's codes of good agricultural practice for the protection of water, air and soil which are available free of charge to all farmers and growers. In addition, the Ministry funds ADAS—the agricultural development advisory service—to provide free advice to farmers in the form of a general pollution risk assessment or assistance in the preparation of a farm waste management plan.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he will provide to farmers in nitrate vulnerable zones who are to face restrictions on the spreading of manures. [22996]

Mr. Boswell

I am very pleased to announce a new grant scheme which will be open to farmers in England and Wales who have land in a nitrate vulnerable zone. The scheme will help those farmers who need to improve their farm waste facilities as a result of limits to be set on the spreading of livestock manures in the zones. The necessary statutory instrument has been laid before Parliament today and will be debated in both Houses of Parliament.

The scheme, which offers a 25 per cent. rate of grant on eligible waste storage and handling facilities, will come into force on 17 April. For the first time, grant will be available on facilities for the separation of clean and dirty water, other than roofing, where this will reduce the need for storage. In addition, farmers will be able to call on ADAS for free advice to help them decide on the waste facilities needed to comply with the NVZ measures.