We have been discussing with interested parties for some time the implementation of controls on the disposal of waste waters from rendering plants. This follows advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) that the spreading to land of untreated rendering condensate should be stopped. We have now drawn up an Order to put controls in place. The Order is likely to come into force by spring 2001. I am writing to seek your comments on the draft order.
The principal effects of this legislation will be:
- A ban on the spreading to land of all untreated waste waters from renderers who process ruminant material. This includes soil injection.
- Treated waste water could continue to be spread to land, providing that it meets certain discharge standards.
- In order to ensure that the required standards are being maintained, renderers will be required to take samples of the treated waters on a regular basis, and to keep a record of these results.
- Any waste water that is tankered off the plant, whether it is treated or not, must be accompanied by documentation.
Further details are included in the attached discussion paper.
An independent risk assessment has been commissioned on the potential animal health risk of spreading condensate to land. It will be conducted by the Water Research Centre (WRc). This risk assessment is available on-line on the MAFF website, and hard copies can be obtained from Andrew Lee (Tel: 0131 244 4653).
At the end of the consultation period, the Executive intends to make copies of the responses received publicly available. This will be done in order to help inform public debate on the issues raised by the consultation. The main Departmental Library at Saughton House, K Spur, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD (0131 244 4552) will supply copies on request to personal callers or telephone enquiries. It will be assumed therefore that your response can be made publicly available in this way, unless you indicate that you wish all or part of your response to be excluded from this arrangement. If you have no objection to your response being made available for public examination in the way described would you please supply an additional copy of your response to this consultation document.
For those wishing to obtain copies of comments, an administrative charge to cover copying and postage will be made. It would be appreciated if personal callers could give the Library at least 24 hours notice of their requirements. This will enable requests to be dealt with efficiently and should help to avoid undue delay for those calling at the Library in person.
This document and Consultation List [ 89 kb pdf].
Consultation List
Discussion Paper or as 69 kb pdf.
Draft Regulatory Impact Assessment or as 74 kb pdf.
Draft Scottish Statutory Instrument or as 84 kb pdf.
I would be grateful for all comments on the draft Order to be sent to Andrew Lee at the address below by 5 March 2001 at the latest.
Pentland House
47 Robb's Loan
Edinburgh EH14 1TY
Telephone: 0131 244 6642
Fax: 0131-244 4755
E-mail: Michael.Garden@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
M G Garden
Beef Exports, Animal Waste & BSE Branch