Incinerator sparks MEPs' concern

Protests have been staged at the plant

A controversial incinerator in a highly-populated area of Glasgow has sparked an inquiry by European politicians.

A delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament visited the city to investigate claims of campaigners.

Residents have alleged that blood from carcasses delivered to the Carntyne plant in the east end of the city ran down the street.

They also said that they have been plagued by pollution and noise.

We are very concerned at the views expressed by the local community and we will be reviewing whether European legislation has been breached

Welsh MEP Eurig Wyn

At a meeting with city bosses, the European Union politicians heard concerns that animals infected with BSE had been destroyed at the plant.

The factory is not licensed to burn infected cows but a loophole means animals can be destroyed before the results of blood tests are returned.

It has since emerged that at least two animals incinerated at the plant had been infected with the disease.

Welsh MEP Eurig Wyn said he was worried by what he had heard.

After the meeting, he said: "I'm very, very concerned at the location of the plant.

"The present regulations seem to have allowed an incinerating plant to be established adjacent to a population of 60,000 people.

Environmental hazard

"We are very concerned at the views expressed by the local community and we will be reviewing whether European legislation has been breached."

The three-strong delegation from the EU public petitions committee also included Spanish MEP Felipe Camison and Herbert Bosch, an Austrian MEP.

Council bosses refused planning permission for the plant in 1997 but they were overruled by the Scottish Office later that year.

Since then residents have campaigned against the plant, which is currently closed for a safety upgrade, claiming it poses an environmental hazard.

During the meeting bosses at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) defended their role, arguing the plant had not broken safety rules and they had no legal reason to close it.

Ken Collins, head of the environment body, said: "At no time has Sepa given permission for this plant to be built.

"We were asked if the plant can operate within safety limits with the information we have but we were not asked if it was a good idea.

"We can't say 'but it is a lunatic location' because we are not a planning authority.

"The position that we are in is that we must now regulate it according to UK and Scottish regulations and these are being met."

Independent MSP Dorothy-Grace Elder, who arranged for the delegation to visit Scotland, said she hoped the visit would help force the company out of the site.

Dangerously weak

She said: "The fact that Europe has stepped in is a real breakthrough for Glasgow.

"Europe is the ultimate boss of the environment and it's the first time they've sent this kind of delegation here.

"I want MEPs to see just how dangerously weak Scottish environmental protection is."

The new operator of the incinerator, Sacone Environmental, said it has been installing state-of-the art equipment to reduce emissions and would be happy to move if the city council can find a new site for the plant.

The MEPs will report back to the European Parliament over whether EU regulations can be tightened.