Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether organic material derived from the mechanical biological treatment of compost qualifies as suitable for composting for the purposes of local authority targets. - Inc ref to www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/guidance/mwms/ 10.htm.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether organic material derived from the mechanical biological treatment of compost qualifies as suitable for composting for the purposes of local authority targets. [196812] Mr. Morley: Only the production of compost which meets the definition stated in Government guidance can count towards Best Value Performance Indicator 82b. This is available from the Defra website at www. defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/guidance/ mwms/10.htm. With the standard of current technology it is unlikely that the product of a Mechanical and Biological Treatment process will meet that definition, in which case it would not be permissible for local authorities to count it towards meeting their recycling targets.

Secondary information