§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to end the practice of spreading condensate on grazing land. [65295]
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§ Mr. RookerThe Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee has considered the practice of spreading rendering condensate on fields. The Committee noted the difficulty of establishing the origin of any ruminant protein found in condensate and concluded that spreading condensate on fields where cattle might graze should be prohibited. The Committee's concerns were related to the risk from BSE to animal rather than human health.
Renderers will be advised that the presence of ruminant protein in condensate means that the practice of spreading it contravenes the Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1998. This legislation contains the specific offence of spreading material containing protein on agricultural land and is enforced by the appropriate local authority.