Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of bioenergy power stations which burn agricultural waste, including straw and poultry litter, after the end of the Renewables Obligation Certificate scheme in 2027 on the environment.

While operators of Renewables Obligation accredited generators will have been aware of the expiry of their entitlement to Renewables Obligations Certificates for some time, Defra recognises the potential for adverse environmental consequences of the ending of agreements. Informing this, Defra's research portfolio includes research into the agricultural landbank available to apply these types of materials as a source of nutrients to meet crop and soil needs and explores novel fertilisers from organic materials. The storage and application of these materials to agricultural land is also controlled by The Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018 and The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015. Defra has committed to consolidate these agricultural water regulations into a clearer and stronger set of rules. Through these reforms it will consider how best to regulate the use of organic manures on farms and the interdependencies with wider policies. Nonetheless, Defra would continue to expect individuals and businesses to abide by legal obligations.