Written question asked by Joan Walley (Labour) on Thursday, 7 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 January 1999. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Thursday, 14 January 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to end the practice of spreading condensate on grazing land. - Including ref to Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1998.

Answer: Ms Walley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to end the practice of spreading condensate on grazing land. [65295] Mr. Rooker: The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee has considered the practice of spreading rendering condensate on fields. The Committee noted the difficulty of establishing the origin of any ruminant protein found in condensate and concluded that spreading condensate on fields where cattle might graze should be prohibited. The Committee's concerns were related to the risk from BSE to animal rather than human health. Renderers will be advised that the presence of ruminant protein in condensate means that the practice of spreading it contravenes the Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1998. This legislation contains the specific offence of spreading material containing protein on agricultural land and is enforced by the appropriate local authority.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 65295; 323 c292-3W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Agriculture Disease control Fertilisers Grazing land Waste disposal BSE Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Condensates