Vol. 475 No. 4
11 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment the discussions, if any, he has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry on the likely implications for waste management policy arising from the disposal of meat and bone meal and specified risk material in relation to his overall policy responsibility for waste management. [5207/97]
Waste management requirements and other issues arising from the BSE problem are continuously monitored by the Government. Appropriate liaison is being maintained between Departments and agencies whose areas of responsibility are affected. I have been closely involved with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in assessing relevant waste management implications and I am satisfied that present arrangements for control of rendering and, in particular, of specified risk material, are satisfactory in relation to environmental protection. Strategic waste management requirements will, of course, continue to be assessed in light of the developing situation and of new information emerging in relation to treatment of this waste stream.
I welcome the fact that the Minister has taken this question because the last time it was tabled by my colleague, Deputy Dempsey, it was referred to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Where does the Minister plan to store some of this waste, such as eyes and brains?
There is a comprehensive waste strategy for BSE related wastes which is approved by Government and has the following elements. All rendering plants which produce meat and bone meal for use in animal foodstuffs are to be upgraded urgently to operate high pressure backed systems, which is happening currently. All specified risk material will be processed into meat and bone meal at a dedicated rendering plant or plants.
Unlike offal, meat and bone meal can be safely stored without risk to human health or the environment pending destruction. For the short to medium term, meat and bone meal containing specified risk material will be held in secure storage in Ireland, pending destruction by incineration either here or abroad. Some 18,000 tonnes of such stocks have been created to date. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is currently exploring the possibility of high temperature incineration either here or abroad.
Where exactly is the specified risk material being stored and how is it being transported?
All the material is being rendered into an inert substance and is currently being safely stored close to the rendering plants until it is disposed of.
