The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989

Citation, commencement and application E+W+S

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, and shall come into force on 1st September 1989.

F1 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 1(2) omitted (8.5.1990) by virtue of The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(2)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 1 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Interpretation E+W+S

2.—(1) In these Regulations–

“agriculture” means the growing of all types of commercial food crops, including for stock-rearing purposes, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

“agricultural unit” means an area of agricultural land used for a single agricultural purpose, not exceeding 5 hectares;

“dedicated site” means an area of agricultural land which on 17th June 1986 was dedicated to the disposal of sludge but on which commercial food crops were being grown exclusively for animal consumption;

“the operative date” means 1st September 1989;

“sludge” means residual sludge from sewage plants treating domestic or urban waste waters and from other sewage plants treating waste waters of a composition similar to domestic and urban waste waters;

“septic tank sludge” means residual sludge from septic tanks and other similar installations for the treatment of sewage;

“sludge producer” means any person who manages a plant at which sludge is produced for disposal;

“the sludge table” means the table set out in Schedule 1;

“the soil table” means the table set out in Schedule 2;

“treated sludge” means sludge or septic tank sludge which has undergone biological, chemical or heat treatment, long-term storage or any other appropriate process so as significantly to reduce its fermentability and the health hazards resulting from its use, and“untreated sludge” shall be construed accordingly; and

“use” means spreading on the soil or any other application on or in the soil, and“used” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) In these Regulations, references to a numbered regulation or Schedule are references to the regulation or Schedule bearing that number in these Regulations.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 2 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Prohibition on use or supply of sludge E+W+S

3.—(1) No person shall cause or knowingly permit sludge to be used on agricultural land unless the following requirements are fulfilled; and no person shall supply sludge for use on agricultural land if he knows or has reason to believe that the requirements of paragraph (6) below will not be fulfilled when the sludge is so used, or that the precautions set out in regulation 4 will not be observed after such use.

(2) The sludge shall be tested in accordance with Schedule 1.

(3) The soil on the land shall be tested or assessed in accordance with Schedule 2.

(4) Unless the land is a dedicated site:–

(a) the average annual rate of addition to the land by means of the sludge of any of the elements listed in column (1) of the sludge table shall not exceed the limit (in kilograms per hectare per year) specified in column (2) thereof; and

(b) the concentration in the soil of any of the elements listed in column (1) of the soil table shall not exceed the limit specified in column (2) thereof; and where that limit is not exceeded at the time of the use, it shall not be exceeded by reason of the use.

(5) The pH value of the soil shall not be less than 5.

(6) No fruit or vegetable crops, other than fruit trees, shall be growing or being harvested in the soil at the time of the use.

(7) The sludge shall be used in such a way that account is taken of the nutrient needs of the plants and that the quality of the soil and of the surface and ground water is not impaired.

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 3 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Precautions to be taken after sludge is used E+W+S

4.—(1) Where any sludge or septic tank sludge has been used on agricultural land, no person shall cause or knowingly permit the activities specified in column (1) of the Table below to be carried out on that land before the expiry of the period specified in column (2) thereof.

TABLE

(1)	(2)
Activity	Period
Grazing animals or harvesting forage crops	Three weeks commencing on the date of the use
Harvesting fruit and vegetable crops which are grown in direct contact with the soil and normally eaten raw	Ten months commencing on the date of the use

(2) Where any untreated sludge has been used [F2 on agricultural land] without being injected into the soil, the occupier of the land affected shall, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, cause such sludge to be worked into the soil of the land affected.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in reg. 4(2) substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(3)

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 4 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Information to be supplied to sludge producer E+W+S

5.  Where sludge has been used [F3 on any agricultural land], other than by or on behalf of the sludge producer, the occupier of that land shall forthwith provide the following information to the sludge producer:–

(a) the address and area of the agricultural unit concerned;

(b) the date on which the sludge was used;

(c) the quantity of sludge so used; and

(d) where the occupier has used sludge not supplied by the sludge producer, the name and address of the person who supplied that sludge, and the quantity of sludge so used which was supplied by that person.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in reg. 5 substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(4)

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 5 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Register to be kept by sludge producer E+W+S

6.—(1) Every sludge producer shall prepare and maintain a register containing the following particulars:–

(a) the total quantity of sludge produced in any year;

(b) in relation to sludge supplied for the purpose of use in agriculture in any year:–

(i) the total quantity of sludge supplied;

(ii) the composition and properties of that sludge as determined in accordance with Schedule 1;

(iii) the quantities of treated sludge supplied, and the type of treatment;

(iv) the names and addresses of the persons to whom the sludge was supplied; and

(v) the address and area of each agricultural unit on which sludge has been used, the quantity of sludge used thereon, and the amount of each of the elements listed in the sludge table which have been added thereto;

(c) a copy of every analysis or assessment made under Schedule 2, or in accordance with advice given for the purposes of [F4 regulation 8(4)], relating to the soil of an agricultural unit on which sludge has been used; and

(d) a copy of any advice issued for the purposes of [F5 regulation 8(3)(a)].

(2) In this regulation“year” means the period from the operative date to December 31st 1989, and thereafter the period of twelve months commencing on January 1st.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in reg. 6(1)(c) substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(5)(a)

F5 Words in reg. 6(1)(d) substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(5)(b)

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 6 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Supply of information about sludge E+W+S

7.—(1) A sludge producer shall make the register maintained under regulation 6 available for inspection by [F6 the Environment Agency] [F7 or, in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency] [F8 or, in Wales, the Natural Resources Body for Wales] at all reasonable times; and shall furnish [F6 the Environment Agency] [F7 or, in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency] [F8 or, in Wales, the Natural Resources Body for Wales] with such information or facilities as [F9 it] may reasonably require relating to (or to verifying the information contained in) the register or otherwise relating to sludge supplied by the sludge producer, including facilities for analysis of representative samples of sludge or soil.

(2) As soon as reasonably practicable after testing sludge in accordance with Schedule 1, the sludge producer shall provide details of the analysis made under that Schedule to all persons to whom the sludge producer supplies sludge.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/593), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 5(2)(a)

F7 Words in reg. 7(1) inserted (S.) (1.4.1996) by The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/973), reg. 1, Sch. para. 9(2)

F8 Words in reg. 7(1) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 23 (with Sch. 7)

F9 Word in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/593), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 5(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Reg. 7(1): transfer of functions (1.4.1996) by Environment Act 1995 (c. 25), s. 2(2)(e)

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 7 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Dedicated sites E+W+S

8.— [F10 (1) In this regulation—

“occupier” means the occupier of a dedicated site;

“the actual concentration” means the concentration of any of the substances listed in column (1) of the soil table in the soil of an agricultural unit forming part of a dedicated site; and

“the permitted concentration” means the concentration in milligrams per kilogram of dry matter specified for that substance in column (2) of that Table.]

(2) Every sludge producer shall notify [F11 the Environment Agency] [F12 or, in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency] [F13 or, in Wales, the Natural Resources Body for Wales] in writing as soon as may be after the operative date of the address and area of every dedicated site to which he supplies sludge.

[F14 (3) Where the actual concentration exceeds the permitted concentration, the occupier shall not:—

(a) sell or offer for sale any crop grown on the agricultural unit affected except in accordance with the advice referred to in paragraph (4) below; or

(b) grow any commercial food crops on that unit other than crops intended for animal consumption.]

(4) [F15 Where the actual concentration exceeds (or if sludge were used would exceed) the permitted concentration, the occupier shall not use sludge on the agricultural unit] except in accordance with advice in writing from:—

(i) in England, the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food [F16 and the Food Standards Agency];

(ii) in Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales [F17 and the Food Standards Agency]; or

(iii) in Scotland, the Secretary of State for Scotland [F18 and] the [F19 Food Standards Scotland].

Textual Amendments

F10 Reg. 8(1) substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(6)(a)

F11 Words in reg. 8(2) substituted (1.4.1996) by The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/593), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 5(3)

F12 Words in reg. 8(2) inserted (S.) (1.4.1996) by The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/973), reg. 1, Sch. para. 9(3)

F13 Words in reg. 8(2) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 23 (with Sch. 7)

F14 Reg. 8(3) substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(6)(b)

F15 Words in reg. 8(4) substituted (8.5.1990) by The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/880), regs. 1(1), 2(6)(c)

F16 Words in reg. 8(4)(i) added (1.4.2000) by The Food Standards Act 1999 (Transitional and Consequential Provisions and Savings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/656), reg. 1, Sch. 8 Pt. 1(a)

F17 Words in reg. 8(4)(ii) added (1.4.2000) by The Food Standards Act 1999 (Transitional and Consequential Provisions and Savings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/656), reg. 1, Sch. 8 Pt. 1(b)

F18 Words in reg. 8(4)(iii) added (1.4.2000) by The Food Standards Act 1999 (Transitional and Consequential Provisions and Savings) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. 2000/62), reg. 1(1), sch. 8 Pt. 1 (with reg. 13)

F19 Words in reg. 8(4)(iii) substituted (1.4.2015) by The Food (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/100), arts. 1(2), 2, sch. para. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Reg. 8(2): transfer of functions (1.4.1996) by Environment Act 1995 (c. 25), s. 2(2)(e)

Commencement Information

I8 Reg. 8 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

Penalties E+W+S

9.  Any person who contravenes any of the foregoing regulations shall be guilty of an offence, and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Commencement Information

I9 Reg. 9 in force at 1.9.1989, see reg. 1(1)

[F20 Civil sanctions E+W+S

10.— (1) The Environment Agency may impose a fixed monetary penalty, variable monetary penalty, restoration notice, compliance notice or stop notice, or accept an enforcement undertaking, in relation to an offence under regulation 9 for contravening a provision in the following Table of civil sanctions, as indicated in that Table, as if it were an offence under a provision specified in relation to that sanction in Schedule 5 to the Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010.

Table of civil sanctions

Provision of these Regulations	Fixed monetary penalty	Variable monetary penalty	Restoration notice	Compliance notice	Stop notice	Enforcement undertaking
regulation 3	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
regulation 4	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
regulation 5	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
regulation 6(1)	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
regulation 7(1)	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
regulation 7(2)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
regulation 8(3)(a)	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
regulation 8(3)(b)	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
regulation 8(4)	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

(2) The terms used in this regulation have the same meaning as in that Order.

(3) The provisions of that Order in relation to those sanctions apply as if they were provisions of these Regulations.

(4) This regulation applies only in England.]

Textual Amendments

F20 Reg. 10 inserted (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Environmental Civil Sanctions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1159), regs. 1, 2

[F21 Civil sanctions, Wales E+W+S

11.— (1) [F22 The Natural Resources Body for Wales] may impose a fixed monetary penalty, variable monetary penalty, restoration notice, compliance notice or stop notice, or accept an enforcement undertaking, in relation to an offence under regulation 9 for contravening a provision in the following Table of civil sanctions, as indicated in that Table, as if it were an offence under a provision specified in relation to that sanction in Schedule 5 to the Environmental Civil Sanctions (Wales) Order 2010.

Table of civil sanctions

Provision of these Regulations	Fixed monetary penalty	Variable monetary penalty	Restoration notice	Compliance notice	Stop notice	Enforcement undertaking
regulation 3	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
regulation 4	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
regulation 5	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
regulation 6(1)	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
regulation 7(1)	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
regulation 7(2)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
regulation 8(3)(a)	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
regulation 8(3)(b)	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
regulation 8(4)	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

(2) The terms used in this regulation have the same meaning as in that Order.

(3) The provisions of that Order in relation to those sanctions apply as if they were provisions of these Regulations.

(4) This regulation applies only in Wales.]

Textual Amendments

F21 Reg. 11 inserted (W.) (15.7.2010) by The Environmental Civil Sanctions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1820), regs. 1, 2

F22 Words in reg. 11(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 24 (with Sch. 7)

[F23 Reporting E+W+S

12.— (1) The appropriate authority must prepare and publish a report on the implementation of these Regulations.

(2) A report under paragraph (1) must be published in such manner as the appropriate authority considers appropriate.

(3) The first report under this regulation must be published by 31st December 2019.

(4) Subsequent reports under this regulation must be published at intervals not exceeding three years.

(5) In this regulation, the “appropriate authority” means—

(a) in relation to England, the Secretary of State;

(b) in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers.]

Textual Amendments

F23 Reg. 12 inserted (E.W.) (31.12.2020) by The Floods and Water (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/558), regs. 1(1), 6; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Nicholas Ridley

Secretary of State for the Environment

Peter Walker

Secretary of State for Wales

James Douglas-Hamilton

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office