HL Deb 07 January 2003 vol 642 c190WA
Lord Mackie of Benshie

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the new body, IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control), has the necessary experience of agriculture to carry out inspections at reasonable speed and cost; and, if not, whether charges will be reduced or waived during its learning period. [HL635]

Lord Whitty

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control is a regime for regulating industrial pollution, established by a 1996 directive of the same name and is being implemented through the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Pollution and Control Regulations (Scotland) 2000. Corresponding secondary legislation for Northern Ireland is expected to be made early in 2003.

Under this regime intensive pig and poultry production is regulated by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service.

Installations existing in October 1999 in Great Britain will be required to apply for an IPPC permit around the end of 2006. New installations are required to have an IPPC permit before commencing operation.

The regulators are working with the fanning sector to streamline the regulatory process for farmers and to minimise costs. Charges are not being waived, although particular effort is being directed to helping first time applicants.