Why now?
The Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC states the following:
The following shall be excluded from the scope of this Directive to the extent that they are covered by other Community legislation:
- animal by-products including processed products covered by Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, except those which are destined for incineration, landfilling or use in a biogas or composting plant
It was therefore thought that the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 would sufficiently covered the land spreading of ABP. However, it has become evident that the ABP regulations do not provide a sufficient level of environmental protection to the extent that it can be considered equivalent to that of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The EA have therefore concluded that in future spreading of ABP will need to be covered by a permit.
Transition period
The EA appreciates that some operators may currently be spreading ABP as a fertiliser or soil improver without an environmental permit. The EA have therefore given operators a transition period until the 1 March 2014 to apply for the correct paperwork. Operators have three options to meet the new changes:
- a U10 waste exemption registered with the environment agency (milk from agricultural premises only)
- a land spreading mobile plant permit and a site specific deployment approved by the environment agency, see related documents
- a regulatory position (RPS066 for certain processed animal protein products only), see related documents
The transition period allows operators to obtain the necessary paperwork required.
Please see the related documents for more information on the permits required and a frequently asked questions list.
Please note that these changes DO NOT apply to manure or slurry.