IN last week's Kidderminster Shuttle we learned that British Sugar has withdrawn support for the county's waste incinerator on their Stourport Road site because they will not benefit from the energy produced. But is this the real reason?
Since British Sugar signed the contracts with Spanish company Focsa there has been considerable evidence that the emissions from incinerators are harmful to public health when sited in residential areas.
Professor Knox, of Birmingham University, studied the emissions from 70 municipal incinerators and concluded that children born within three miles of an incinerator could be twice as likely to develop cancer in later years.
The American Environmental Agency has highlighted the dangers from airborne dioxins and the major countries of Europe are stopping incinerator programmes because of the health risk.
The big issue must be that sugar is food and the possibility of contamination from the incinerator's emissions has now become the real concern to British Sugar.
British Sugar supply Cadbury's. How will they react if the incinerator plan gets the go-ahead?
Is it not time for Focsa/Severn Waste Services to bite the bullet and take up British Sugar's generous offer to return its deposit and waive further payments.
It is irresponsible of Severn Waste Services, with the backing of our county council, to continue this threat to our health and quality of life and we should all write and tell them so.
MELVYN THOMPSON
Flint Close
Kidderminster
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article