Oral Answers to Questions Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateScott Mann
Main Page: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)Department Debates - View all Scott Mann's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(8 years, 6 months ago)
Commons Chamber1. What steps her Department is taking to monitor and prevent future chemical spills from quarrying in the headwaters of the River Tamar.
We take the issue of chemical spills very seriously, particularly in the context of the Tamar. Such spills have caused significant damage to biodiversity and, specifically, to fish. We are analysing the pH levels and the dissolved solids to prevent future occurrences.
I am grateful for the Minister’s response. Will he ask his Department to review the decision of the Environment Agency not to pursue legal action against Glendinning for the major pollution incident relating to Pigsdon quarry in 2014?
Legal proceedings were brought and the decision was made by Truro Crown court, under the hon. Judge Carr, to instead impose an enforcement order. Some £70,000 has been contributed by the company, but, much more importantly, five new lagoons have been put in place to deal with the incident and chemical processes are being used to prevent a recurrence.