§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to publish draft regulations on agricultural waste. [87224]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 16 December 2002]: We are preparing the draft regulations necessary to apply the provisions of the Waste Framework Directive to agricultural waste. A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is also being prepared. On completion, the draft regulations and RIA will be issued 683W for consultation with the farming industry and other interested groups. A firm date for publication of the consultation paper has not yet been set but our aim is to publish it early in the new year. I will ensure that a copy of the consultation paper is sent to the hon. Member when it is issued.