Allister questions why NIEA did not conduct risk assessment on gypsum as animal bedding
29 November 2012
Following an Assembly reply from the DOE Minister, TUV Leader Jim Allister has criticised the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for failing to carry out a risk assessment on the use of gypsum as animal bedding at the time it approved a Quality Protocol for recycled plasterboard.
Though the use of recycled gypsum as animal bedding without a waste authorisation is an offence, the MLA insists that is NIEA was reporting on the safety of gypsum it should have included its use as animal bedding within its ambit. “Considering the severe losses which some farmers have suffered in consequence of hydrogen suphide generation, when gypsum is used as bedding, I find it incredible that when the NIEA was conducting its evaluations it did not encompass its use as bedding. Surely, if the scientific analysis and testing was adequate it should have thrown up warning signs?”
Mr Allister’s Question and the Minister’s Answer are as below, as well as a related Q & A to the DETI minister:-
Question: To ask the Minister of the Environment what steps his Department has taken, or intends to take, to prohibit the sale of recycled gypsum as farm bedding; and what regulation is being applied to wholesalers or retailers to prohibit sales.
Answer: The NIEA has adopted a Quality Protocol for recycled gypsum but it does not include animal bedding as an approved end use. During the development of the Quality Protocol, there was no risk assessment carried out into the use of waste gypsum as animal bedding. The Quality Protocol however permits the use of gypsum as a soil conditioner.
The use of recycled gypsum as animal bedding without a waste authorisation is an offence. NIEA will not authorise the use of these materials until there is clear scientific evidence to demonstrate that they do not pose a risk to animals, humans or the environment, in particular from hydrogen sulphide generation.
The NIEA issued a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) in June 2012 and it can be found on:
http://www.doeni,gov.uk/niea/gypsum-plaster-2012.pdf.
There are currently two licensed waste facilities processing waste plasterboard in Northern Ireland. The Agency has contacted these operators to ensure that they inform farmers that recycled gypsum must not be used for bedding livestock. NIEA staff have also visited a number of farmers who received the recycled gypsum to confirm what end use they put this material to.
Question: To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the issues and dangers on farms caused by the use of recycled gypsum for bedding; and what steps her Department has taken in relation to this matter, including any regulatory measures.
Answer: HSENI, in conjunction with the HSE and the Environment Agency in GB, has commissioned research into the influence of gypsum in animal slurry systems. The results of this research are due next year and will be used to help inform national policy.
Environmental legislation (enforced by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NIEA), does not permit the use of waste plasterboard or waste gypsum as animal bedding.
The NIEA has issued a regulatory position statement and contacted suppliers of re-cycled gypsum to ensure that they inform farmers that re-cycled gypsum must not be used for bedding livestock.
In the mean time, HSENI continues to advise farmers through the press and visits that they should not use gypsum in animal bedding. The farming press in Northern Ireland has reported widely on the potential issues of using gypsum and that the use of gypsum for animal bedding is illegal. HSENI has recently re-issued advice on this matter to the farming industry through the press.
