Waste inquiry consults villagers

Waste has been spread on fields for many years

A leading public health expert has agreed to re-examine the effects of dumping animal waste on fields near two central Scotland villages.

It follows an appeal from the environmental watchdog Sepa (Scottish Environment Protection Agency).

The agency said it was only fair that campaigners should be able to present their concerns in person to the investigating team, led by Dr Mike Rowarth from Tayside Health Board.

For years, large volumes of sewage and abattoir waste have been spread on land near the homes of people living in the villages of Blairingone and Saline on the borders of Perth and Kinross and Fife.

Sewage is among the waste spread on land

The villagers set up an action group in 1997 to complain about the problems they say are associated with the waste spreading.

There have been complaints of sore throats, eye infections, rashes and even scarlet fever.

But there is no actual evidence that the waste has caused illnesses.

Mid Scotland Fife MSP George Reid is delighted that the investigation is to be reconvened.

In March, the Scottish Parliament's environment committee said in a report that the rules on animal waste disposal should be tightened.

It also called for a full review of the health and environmental side-effects of recycling sewage on land as an organic fertiliser.

National importance

MSPs said they were surprised and concerned to learn that the law permitted such waste disposal with little regulation.

MSPs said it was an issue of national importance as other communities in Scotland had also complained about the method of waste disposal.

The MSPs also called for the creation of a special investigation team by Sepa to consider the effects of sewage and waste spreading on public health and the environment.

Mr Reid said the health inquiry team should have taken evidence from the villagers.