HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 cc298-9W
Mr. Luff

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he is taking to minimise(a) odour, (b) light pollution and (c) noise from the Throckmorton airfield burial site; and if he will make a statement; [159271]

(2) what is the purpose of the floodlighting at the Throckmorton airfield burial site; for what reason the lighting operates through the night; and if he will make a statement. [159272]

Ms Quin

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: Air pollution control engineers, Air Spectrum Environmental, have been contracted to deal with all aspects of odour control. A spray system is in place which has recently been increased by 300 per cent.

Flood lighting was installed at the Throckmorton burial site, because it was originally envisaged that some work might have to be carried out after the hours of darkness in order to clear the backlog of carcases. In the event, the operation did not require a prolonged period of night working and the lights have now been switched off at night following representations from local residents.

The facilities at the Throckmorton site are now running on mains electricity, which has allowed the generators to be switched off.