To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with officers from the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority regarding their soil improver product; and what assessment she has made of whether the soil improver product will meet the requirements of the Animal By-products Order. [116025]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 712W. No further discussions have taken place. The Animal By-Products Regulations 2003 came into force on 1 July, and will permit the treatment of catering waste and low-risk animal by-products in composting/biogas premises. No assessment of such premises or their products could be made before 1 July, as the process was not legal before that date.