WRITTEN QUESTION E-2402/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Use of sewage sludge as a fertiliser in the agricultural sector

In a number of EU Member States, including the Belgian Federation, sludge from waste water purification plants is used as a fertiliser in the agricultural sector. The sludge is usually highly polluted with heavy metals. Scientific research (Adeline Montcharmont: Les risques sanitaires liés à l'épandage des boues de stations d'épuration urbaines, Ecole nationale vétérinaire de Lyon, thèse numéro 31, 1999) also shows that such sludge can be infected with bacteria, viruses and parasites. Both these facts necessitate further research and an appropriate approach at all policy levels.

1. In which EU Member States is sludge from waste water purification plants used as a fertiliser in the agricultural sector?

2. Which Member States have restrictions in force on the use of such sludge as fertiliser?

3. What is the Council's attitude towards the use of sludge from waste water purification plants as a fertiliser in the agricultural sector, in view of the pollution with heavy metals and infection with bacteria, viruses and parasites?

4. Does the Council feel that a ban should be imposed on using sewage sludge as a fertiliser, in view of the pollution with heavy metals and infection with bacteria, viruses and parasites? If not, why not?

Reply

(13 March 2000)

1. The use of sewage sludge as an agricultural fertiliser and means of soil improvement is one of the traditional ways in the majority of the Member States for the disposal and recycling of such substances. Such use has already received the Council's attention with a view to preventing the damaging effects that such use can have on the environment and on human and animal health.

2. In particular, the Council adopted Directive 86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture(1), which instrument governs the use of sewage sludge on farms.

3. In respect of the first two questions put by the Honorable Member, the Council would draw his attention to Articles 12 and 17 of Council Directive 86/278/EEC, which state that it is for the Commission to publish information on the use of sewage sludge on the basis of reports submitted by the Member States.

4. By adopting Directive 86/278/EEC, the Council generally authorised the use of sewage sludge as an agricultural fertiliser, subject to strict regulation and the necessary controls. That Directive regulates sewage-sludge use in order to prevent harmful effects for soil, vegetation, animals and man, while encouraging its proper use. It also sets limit values for concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc and mercury). The Directive accordingly lays down certain restrictions to prevent contamination of the environment, as well as spelling out the risks for human and animal health from pathogens.

5. The Council believes that the Commission is currently working on the revision of the Directive so as to adapt it to technological and scientific progress made since it was adopted. When it receives the proposal for revision, the Council will examine it at the earliest opportunity.

6. As regards the more specific questions concerning the use of sewage sludge as an agricultural fertiliser in the various Member States, the Council regrets that it does not possess the relevant information.

(1) OJ L 181, 4.7.1986.