§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to have signed contracts for the current tender exercise for the incineration of tallow arising from carcases culled under the over thirty month scheme; and for what reason the signing of contracts has been delayed. [107815]
§ Alun MichaelThe Rural Payments Agency have been in negotiation with a large disposal outlet identified under the tender exercise for the incineration of tallow arising from carcases culled under the Over Thirty Month (slaughter) Scheme and are hopeful of signing a contract with this outlet within the next 2 to 4 weeks. Discussions with the smaller disposal outlets identified under the tender exercise will be progressed once the requirements for this large outlet have been finalised.
The delay in reaching agreement has arisen from the number of licencing, environmental and logistical issues which have to be clarified or resolved prior to signing the contract.