Written question asked by Anne Campbell (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 March 1997. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What his plans are for reducing the input of zinc in sewage sludge which may be spread on the land. - Inc ref to Government response to report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution on sustainable use of soil (Dep/3 4449).

Answer: Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what his plans are for reducing the input of zinc in sewage sludge which may be spread on the land. [21149] Mr. Clappison: The Government have accepted in its response to the report of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution on the sustainable use of soil that there should be continued action to reduce the concentration of zinc and other metals in sewage sludge. We intend to commission a further survey of sewage sludge quality in 1998. This will provide the opportunity to confirm the effect of trade effluent controls in considerably reducing metal concentrations over the last two decades and will provide a basis for assessing the need for any further steps, taking into account the potential costs and benefits.

Secondary information