§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the relaxation of pollution control regulations in relation to(a) open burning of slaughtered livestock carcases and (b) tyres used to aid combustion; and if he will make a statement. [159854]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 2 May 2001]: There is a continuing dialogue between various Government Departments, and with the Environment Agency, about options for the disposal of carcases.
In order to expedite the burning of animal carcases resulting from the foot and mouth crisis, we have made regulations—The Pollution Prevention and Control (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Air Curtain Incinerators) (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, SI 2001–1623)—which came into force on Tuesday 1 May 2001, allowing the permitting of air curtain incinerators for this purpose, which can be preferable to the use of pyres.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would not generally sanction the use of tyres to aid combustion, and has made no representations to my Department on this matter.