Sludge Watch ==> UK Sludge Matrix - named after scary movie?

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Oy vey!  In the United Kingdom the 'voluntary sludge matrix' is not law.  
Its even hard to find a copy of this 'matrix'.  No wonder the folks in 
England and Scotland are so appalled.  Sludgers were spreading Class B 
sludge knee deep in a Scottish forest last I heard.  Makes you want to woof 
your cookies and hike up your kilt.

....................................................................................................


Sewage sludge issue remains unresolved
06/10/2006 15:25:00
Farmers Weekly

Growers using sewage sludge need clearer guidance on the implications of 
doing so, and consumers more reassurance on its safety.

With the eight-year-old voluntary Safe Sludge Matrix not yet law, merchants' 
terms and conditions need scrutinising carefully.

The Matrix indicates that applying treated sludges to combinable and animal 
feed crops is safe. But some terms suggest otherwise.

Frontier's for 2006/07 state [sludge] treated land must not be used for 
producing cereals for malting or distilling or oats for milling.

Gleadell's latest indicate grain should not be produced on land that has had 
any form of human waste or sludge, as this severely restricts outlets.

"Sewage sludge is certainly an issue for everyone and needs industry 
discussion," says the firm's Stuart Shand. "What we need to know is who 
ultimately is responsible for the terms and what they actually do mean."

Frontier's Jon Duffy says the company's terms merely reflect those imposed 
by its customers.

Lincolnshire grower Valerie Stanton has stopped using Anglian Water's 
Nutribio product until the position is clarified.

"I think treated sludge is a very useful product and we are providing an 
environmental service by using it. But I don't want to be storing up 
long-term problems for ourselves," says Dr Stanton.

"I just want one hymn sheet so growers know exactly what the risks are - if 
any."

ADAS's Brian Chambers, who helped prepare the SSM, says the issue is all 
about protecting the image of particular products, notably Scotch whisky.

"It's all about brand protection. There are no real concerns about food 
safety. Some international whisky buyers would look more favourably if the 
Matrix was compulsory under law."

Steve Ntifo is environment and science adviser for Water UK, which 
represents sludge-producing water companies.

"It would help immensely if the Safe Sludge Matrix was given legal backing. 
Regulation was promised by previous ministers. It's a vital 
requirement."There is plenty of research to show that its use is safe, he 
adds.

Ivor Murrell of the Maltsters Association of Great Britain stresses 
individual members determine their policies on sludge.

"It's my view that legislation hasn't kept up with the fact that we're now 
dealing with treated sludge. The real issue is for water companies to get 
their products acceptable to consumers."

Scottish Quality Cereals allows crops to be grown using treated sewage 
products under the 1989 Sludge (Use in Agriculture) regulations and the SSM, 
notes FW Barometer grower John Hutcheson. But Quaker, for whom he grows 
milling oats, does not permit sludge use, he notes.

"The biggest challenge in using this excellent free fertiliser is 
end-consumer acceptance."

Farmer Focus writer Peter Hogg suggests all farmers should apply sludge to 
all their fields at least once.

"They should then tell anyone who grumbles that if they can personally stop 
producing it, then we as farmers will stop spreading it!"

Anglian Water's Tim Burch believes merchants' terminology is a coverall 
that's easier to work with rather than listing specific restrictions.

"There seems a misconception that we are still applying untreated sewage 
sludge."

A DEFRA spokesperson admits the sludge-to-land issue remains unresolved.





by Andrew Blake (About this Author)