Growers using sewage sludge need clearer guidance on the implications of doing so, and consumers more reassurance on its safety.

With the eight-year-old voluntary Safe Sludge Matrix not yet law, merchants’ terms and conditions need scrutinising carefully.

The Matrix indicates that applying treated sludges to combinable and animal feed crops is safe. But some terms suggest otherwise.

Frontier’s for 2006/07 state [sludge] treated land must not be used for producing cereals for malting or distilling or oats for milling.

Gleadell’s latest indicate grain should not be produced on land that has had any form of human waste or sludge, as this severely restricts outlets.

“Sewage sludge is certainly an issue for everyone and needs industry discussion,” says the firm’s Stuart Shand. “What we need to know is who ultimately is responsible for the terms and what they actually do mean.”

Frontier’s Jon Duffy says the company’s terms merely reflect those imposed by its customers.

Lincolnshire grower Valerie Stanton has stopped using Anglian Water’s Nutribio product until the position is clarified.

“I think treated sludge is a very useful product and we are providing an environmental service by using it. But I don’t want to be storing up long-term problems for ourselves,” says Dr Stanton.

“I just want one hymn sheet so growers know exactly what the risks are – if any.”

ADAS’s Brian Chambers, who helped prepare the SSM, says the issue is all about protecting the image of particular products, notably Scotch whisky.

“It’s all about brand protection. There are no real concerns about food safety. Some international whisky buyers would look more favourably if the Matrix was compulsory under law.”

Steve Ntifo is environment and science adviser for Water UK, which represents sludge-producing water companies.

“It would help immensely if the Safe Sludge Matrix was given legal backing. Regulation was promised by previous ministers. It’s a vital requirement.”There is plenty of research to show that its use is safe, he adds.

Ivor Murrell of the Maltsters Association of Great Britain stresses individual members determine their policies on sludge.

“It’s my view that legislation hasn’t kept up with the fact that we’re now dealing with treated sludge. The real issue is for water companies to get their products acceptable to consumers.”

Scottish Quality Cereals allows crops to be grown using treated sewage products under the 1989 Sludge (Use in Agriculture) regulations and the SSM, notes FW Barometer grower John Hutcheson. But Quaker, for whom he grows milling oats, does not permit sludge use, he notes.

“The biggest challenge in using this excellent free fertiliser is end-consumer acceptance.”

Farmer Focus writer Peter Hogg suggests all farmers should apply sludge to all their fields at least once.

“They should then tell anyone who grumbles that if they can personally stop producing it, then we as farmers will stop spreading it!”

Anglian Water’s Tim Burch believes merchants’ terminology is a coverall that’s easier to work with rather than listing specific restrictions.

“There seems a misconception that we are still applying untreated sewage sludge.”

A DEFRA spokesperson admits the sludge-to-land issue remains unresolved.