News from the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme

The latest news from the Biofertiliser industry


EA Regulatory Statement due to expire 30th September

Posted: 15 August, 2011. Written by David Collins

The Environment Agency (EA) Regulatory Statement (attached) and its current extension to 30th September 2011 has allowed those those operators who registered with BCS before 31 December 2009 to be exempt for having to apply for an Environmental Permit to spread digestate.   We have asked the EA to clarify the situation regarding the expiry of the statement and have had the following reply:  

"We do not intend changing the regulatory position statement at the current time, which means operators relying on the position that expires on 30th September will need the relevant permit and deployments in place if they wish to continue after that date, unless they are fully compliant with the QP"

In England and Wales that means reverting to the permitting regime after 30th September 2011 unless you have passed the PAS110/ADQP.

However, if you feel that you have a case for a further extension of the Statement because of difficulties that have made it impractical to achieve the necessary standard and gain certification (as opposed to being unable to achieve the standard) within the timeframe, please can you urgently notify us with your justification for this. We will then notify the EA, who no doubt will contact you to discuss whether they can extend the position in your particular case. BCS will make every effort to assist plants to gain an extension, which for reasons outside their control, have not been able to pass the standard in time.

Bearing in mind the time it takes to apply for Mobile Spreading permits and deployments we advise that it would also be advisable to prepare in advance in case the EA does not extend the statement for your plant.