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DEFRA to hold conference to resolve composting confusion

The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is presenting the results of its risk assessment into composting kitchen waste to try and end the uncertainty surrounding composting, at a conference this summer.

DEFRA in partnership with the Composting Association is to hold a conference to present the results of the risk assessment, which looked at the controls that may be needed to protect human, animal and plant health near composting facilities.

And it looks likely that more strigent controls will have to be introduced as DEFRA is considering what controls might be appropriate for composting and anaerobic digestion.

Dr Jane Gilbert, chief executive of The Composting Association, said: “The UK composting industry is now at a crucial stage in its development, with legislation affecting the composting of catering wastes and animal by-products. This is your chance to hear what’s in store for this important industry – directly from the policy makers.”

Local authorities and the composting industry have been in a state of confusion over the last year about legislative policy on the composting of Animal By-Products and catering wastes. The conference, Composting Animal By-Products and Catering Wastes, will be held on June 7 and DEFRA will explain the timescales in which decisions surrounding the introduction of more stringent controls might be taken and will explain how the industry could be involved in the decision making process. The government will also outline the implications for the future direction of waste policy.

The conference will also look at the means for meeting the requirements set out by EU Animal By-Products Regulation and the Environment Agency and SEPA will also outline their position on regulating composting sites that treat Animal By-Products.

For further information visit the Composting Association's website.

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