To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2008, Official Report, column 819W, on Brofiscin Quarry: hazardous substances, what the timetable was of action taken by the Environment Agency following the receipt of information relating to cattle mortality and deformed cattle foetuses in the vicinity of Brofiscin Quarry. (196355)

I am informed by the Environment Agency Wales that the information relating to cattle mortality and deformed cattle foetuses reported in the vicinity of the Brofiscin Quarry was received by the Environment Agency in the course of its investigations under Part 2A Environmental Protection Act 1990. The cattle mortality investigation took place in the 1960s, was not conducted by the Environment Agency but the information was reviewed and found not to be related to pollutant linkages included in the Record of Determination produced by the local authority.

Any information was passed to the local authority who retain responsibility for investigating other potential pollutant linkages, including livestock.

In accordance with Part 2A Environmental Protection Act 1990 and statutory guidance, regulatory authorities are not authorised to carry out any action that is not referable to a significant pollutant linkage.