Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Monday, 3 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 March 2008. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Monday, 10 March 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Oikos: Canvey Island

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice the Environment Agency has provided to Oikos on Canvey Island on remedial work in respect of their operations; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Oikos Storage Ltd. undertakes a variety of operations at its site in Haven road, Canvey Island. These range from liquid hazardous waste storage and treatment to the filtration and refinement of waste fuels, including oils and tallow.The Environment Agency regulates these activities through compliance assessment and enforcement of the current waste management licence and the pollution prevention control (PPC) permit.The Environment Agency is not aware of any ongoing remedial works. However, the PPC permit requires several improvement conditions to be met. These include reviewing the integrity of the storage tanks and improving bunding arrangements and site surfacing. Other improvement conditions required include the reduction of risk of pollution from fire water and major spillages, a review of the type of boiler fuel used to reduce potential emissions, and measures to control both gaseous emissions and discharges to the Thames estuary.The Environment Agency is awaiting the outcome of the review from Oikos and will enter into discussions with the company should any improvements be required.

Secondary information