Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Departments of Health and Social Security and Agriculture have approved the spreading of animal blood on fields; and if he will make a statement. [2445]
§ Mr. AncramThe practice of spreading blood on land as a fertiliser is an acceptable method of disposal.
The feeding of animal protein to ruminants is prohibited under the Specified Bovine Material (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996. Spreading of blood on land while livestock are grazing it, or moving livestock unto such land shortly after spreading, would be in contravention of the order as the livestock could ingest animal protein.
The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which is the independent committee of experts that advises the Government on matters relating to BSE, has confirmed that disposal of blood on land, other than by burial, is acceptable.