Sludge inquiry condemns 'secrecy'

Sludge inquiry condemns 'secrecy'

The committee said villagers had suffered enough

Investigations into the spreading of sewage sludge near Scottish villages were surrounded by a "culture of secrecy," a report has claimed.

Members of the Scottish Parliament's petitions committee said the Environmental Health Impact Team (EHIT) set up to probe residents' health fears had taken a "disdainful" approach.

Convener John McAllion said those living in Blairingone and Saline, on the borders of Perth and Kinross and Fife, had suffered enough and should be told about any risks.

The committee said public bodies charged with investigating public health should not be allowed to meet in private in the future.

The report was published on the same day that the laws covering muck spreading were tightened.

Abattoir waste

The new regulations outlaw the spreading of untreated organic waste on farmland.

Large volumes of sewage and abattoir waste have been spread on land near Saline and Blairingone for several years.

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

The village has undoubtedly suffered enough and deserves a clear statement as to the risks or otherwise of the activities adjacent to it

John McAllion
Committee convener

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

The committee's report said MSPs had uncovered no evidence to back claims that sludge spreading had led to health problems.

However, it said villagers had been exposed to odour problems and stress due to a lack of information from public bodies.

"The village has undoubtedly suffered enough and deserves a clear statement as to the risks or otherwise of the activities adjacent to it," said Mr McAllion.

"Over the years there seems to have been a failure by many organisations to engage in consultation with the community or to ensure that the health concerns of local people were adequately responded to."

Air quality

The committee has called for a public meeting in Blairingone to discuss the findings.

MSPs also said that the air quality in the village should be monitored.

Mr McAllion said he was "appalled" by the way the EHIT went about its business.

"After meeting in private on only two occasions, experts and professionals simply handed down their verdict from on high, without even consulting the Blairingone villagers," he said.

"It is little wonder that such a disdainful approach led to rumours amongst residents about a cover up, as feelings of mistrust grew towards those responsible bodies.

Public bodies

"Never again must any public body that is charged with investigating public health issues be allowed to meet in private without having even intimated to the public that they have been set up."

He said the Scottish people needed to have confidence that public health concerns would be dealt with "openly and transparently".

Independent MSP Dorothy-Grace Elder, who carried out her own investigation on behalf of the committee, said she hoped the report would end the culture of secrecy among public bodies.

She described the spreading of untreated organic waste as "revolting" and congratulated the Scottish Executive for banning it under the licensing regulations which came into force on Monday.