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2 Apr 2008 : Column WA187
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Environment Agency is aware of the presence of dibenzofurans in Brofiscin Quarry. In accordance with the provisions of Part 2A Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Statutory Guidance, the Environment Agency is responsible for considering the significant pollutant linkages that form the basis of the local authority's record of determination. Dioxins, dibenzofurans and aroclors are not included in that determination.
In the course of its investigations under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Agency has received information relating to Brofiscin Quarry from various sources including Monsanto. Where that information has related to potential additional contaminants at the site, it has been passed to the local authority.
The Environment Agency considered that the analysis of congeners (individual PCB compounds) offered advantages over the analysis of aroclors (commercial mixtures of PCB compounds) for the purpose of environmental risk assessment as the toxicity of PCBs is congener specific.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect the Environment Agency Wales (EAW) to publish a list of appropriate persons in respect of the surface and groundwater pollution in the locality of the Brofiscin Quarry; and when they expect the EAW to publish details of remediation options for this area. [HL2535]
Lord Rooker: The Environment Agency is still making its determination of “appropriate persons”' and concluding its remediation options appraisal for Brofiscin Quarry in accordance with the relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
Regulation 15 and Schedule 3 to the Contaminated Land (Wales) Regulations 2001 prescribes the detail required under Section 78R of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to be placed on a public register. The contaminated land regime does not prescribe a
2 Apr 2008 : Column WA188
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Environment Agency Wales is aware of the admission of shared liability at Brofiscin and two other Welsh landfill sites made by the former Monsanto Environment Director, Dr D B Shearn, on Thames Television in 1989; and whether this admission is now statute barred. [HL2569]
Lord Rooker: The Environment Agency is aware of the documentary and does not believe it of relevance.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why Brofiscin Farm, to the north of the Brofiscin landfill site, has not been designated contaminated land despite the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls in the soil, disused well waters and Brofiscin Farm stream sediments. [HL2570]
Lord Rooker: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the relevant local authority, has responsibility for determining whether land in the vicinity of Brofiscin Quarry appears to be contaminated land.
The Environment Agency has provided information and advice to assist the local authority in discharging its responsibilities.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Rooker: Chapter C Part 5 of the Welsh Assembly Government's Part 2A Statutory Guidance on Contaminated Land (2006), issued under Section 78E(5)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, provides guidance on what is reasonable with regard to remediation.
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