EA publishes detailed response to comments raised during consultation
The Environment Agency has published its responses to the feedback from stakeholders received during the latest consultation on changes to Environmental Permits, which closed in July 2011.
The consultation covered:
- Nature conservation screening distances for regulated activities such as composting and digestion;
- Distance rules for Source Protection Zones;
- Generic risk assessments for Standard Rules Permits.
The consultation also invited wider comment on the Standard Permitting regime. The EA summary of responses can be viewed by clicking the 'Related Documents' tab above or by visiting the EA website.
NFU Members can also view a short briefing outlining the important points from our perspective by viewing the 'SRC No7 Briefing' also available under Related Documents.
In our response to the consultation, the NFU:
- Did not agree with the proposed changes to screening on nature conservation grounds, these will add unnecessary cost by pushing many operators into bespoke permits;
- Considered that the generic risk assessments over-estimated the potential risks posed by composting activities;
- Proposed that permitted wastes for composting permits should as a minimum include those described in the Quality Protocol for Compost;
- Suggested that biodegradable liquid wastes may also be suitable for treatment by composting, by supplying essential moisture to the process and should be included in standard permits;
- Stated the importance that the issue of inflexibility in changing from a standard to bespoke permit is addressed to encourage operators to tailor their permit to their own circumstances at minimal cost.
No comments have been made.