§ Viscount Exmouthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer given by Lord Lucas on 29th April 1996 (col. WA 126) and in the light of the large increase in the number of cattle now being slaughtered under the over-30 month scheme, whether they can continue to give assurance that the rendered material will not be dumped at sea.
Lord LucasYes. Commission Regulation 716/96, requires that the carcases of cattle purchased under the over thirty month scheme (OTMS) are disposed of by incineration or rendered and destroyed. The meat and bonemeal and tallow produced from rendered OTMS carcases is currently being stored pending destruction. UK disposals of waste at sea are governed by regional and global treaties. In particular, the convention for the protection of the maritime environment of the north-east Atlantic prescribes stringent rules which would preclude any dumping of rendered material.
§ Viscount Exmouthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer given by Lord Lucas on 29th April 1996 (col. WA 126) whether "the best practicable environmental option" for the disposal of waste material from the over-30 month bovine cull scheme has now been identified and if so, whether they will clearly define the proposed options.
Lord LucasCommission Regulation 716/96 requires that the carcases of cattle purchased under the over thirty month scheme (OTMS) are disposed of by incineration or rendered and destroyed. Combustion tests for the destruction of rendered material have been carried out at selected sites and these tests have been monitored by the Environmental Agency. No decision will be made on any option until the test results have been fully evaluated. In considering destruction options, full weight is given to protecting the environment and human health.