Written question asked by Peter Luff (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001 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 assessment he has made of the public health effects of the burning of old railway sleepers associated with the disposal of culled animals. - (Holding answer 10 April 2001).

Answer: Mr. Luff: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the public health effects of the burning of old railway sleepers associated with the disposal of culled animals. [157890] Ms Quin: [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Emissions of pollutants from burning railway sleepers were considered as part of the Department of Health-led risk assessment on the health effects of air emissions from pyres. This Risk Assessment is available on the Department of Health's website. Railway sleepers form an important source of fuel for pyres. The sleepers may be treated with creosote and this will add to the range of pollutants emitted on burning. The emission of pollutants from sleepers was assessed by the Environment Agency and factored into the risk assessment. No separate assessment of the emissions from burning sleepers has been undertaken: the focus has been on the pyres as a whole.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 157890; 368 c234W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Health hazards Disease control Foot and mouth disease Pollution Waste disposal Pollutants
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk