HL Deb 02 May 2001 vol 625 c91WA
Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why napalm is not used for the destruction of animal carcasses resulting from foot and mouth disease. [HL1792]

Baroness Hayman

There are two forms of napalm available, which both produce very toxic compounds when they burn. We therefore cannot use them because of the public and environmental health risks.

We recognise that burning at higher temperatures is more efficient and cleaner, and so there is a need to increase the temperature of pyres, particularly at the beginning of the burn while the water in carcasses is being driven off. We have therefore commissioned urgent studies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, on the possible use of gelled fuel mixtures to increase the temperature.