To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated completion date is of his Department’s review of the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations. (317795)

The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 and associated code of practice are currently being reviewed by DEFRA. Subject to policy clearance we will publish the proposals for a review, and draft regulations and a code of practice for public consultation, prior to making new regulations. This work is under way, but it is not possible to estimate how quickly the new regulations can be made.