26
Accepted
Review organic input regulations by 2025 to ensure adequate soil contamination protections.
Recommendation
By the end of 2025, the Government and Environment Agency should review the current regulations for the production, testing and application of organic inputs to make sure that are delivering enough protections against soil contamination. This review should set out a plan for closing any gaps in protections by 2026/27.
Government Response Summary
The Environment Agency is reviewing regulatory delivery for various organic inputs, including sewage sludge and composts, and plans to introduce new ‘end of waste’ Resource Frameworks and amended permits by 2026/27, aligning with the recommended review and action plan timeline.
Paragraph Reference
93
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Environment Agency’s Materials to Land Sector Group enables safe and sustainable land spreading of manures and waste derived soil conditioners. The Group engages nationally with Trade Bodies, locally with operators, and works with producers (Biowaste Treatment Sector) and the main users (Agriculture Sector). The Environment Agency is investigating sludge quality through the water industry’s Chemical Investigation Programme. The Environment Agency is reviewing its regulatory delivery for several areas including: use in agriculture of sewage sludge and septic tank sludge; composts, digestates and ashes which have end of waste; and wastes which are spread to land under Environmental Permitting Regulation (EPR) controls. New ‘end of waste’ Resource Frameworks and amended EPR permits and exemptions are due by 2026/27.
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.5 yrs
Report published
05 Dec 2023