Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026 · Votes to 12 Nov 2026

Members' Business Motion · S4M-13248 · Session 4

Sewage Sludge Spreading

Lodged by Margaret Mitchell Con Lodged 21 May 2015 Debate 3 Sep 2015 10 supporters Cross-party support

The motion

That the Parliament recognises the level of concern about the spreading of sewage sludge on fields in and around the Falkirk area; understands that over 1,300 members of the community have submitted letters of objection regarding the practice to Falkirk Council; notes that community councils in the Falkirk area have lodged a petition with the Public Petitions Committee regarding sewage sludge spreading; understands that the spreading of human sewage on fields in the Falkirk area has aggravated health problems among local residents, including those with lung conditions and asthma, and prevented residents from opening windows, hanging out laundry or sitting outside during the summer months; further understands that sludge has been spilt onto roads during transportation and that a local primary school sports day had to be cancelled due to the stench from the sludge making children vomit; acknowledges that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water, Falkirk Council and the Scottish Government are responsible for oversight of the various stages of sewage sludge treatment, transportation and spreading and that the Scottish Government is currently conducting a review of waste spreading in Scotland, and notes the view that there is merit in exploring alternative ways of treating human sewage as well as ensuring that the current practice is meticulously monitored so that local communities are not adversely affected.

Signatures by party

10 MSPs besides the lodger · 3 from other parties
Con 7Lab 2Ind 1

Party on the day each MSP signed. Signing a motion is voluntary and not whipped. Who signs whose motions

Vote

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

Amendments

1
  1. Sewage Sludge Spreading
    Angus MacDonald SNP Lodged 21 May 2015
    No recorded vote

Supporters

10 MSPs

Con 7 Lab 2 Ind 1

Show all 10 supporters by party

Con 7

Lab 2

Ind 1

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

In the Official Report

1 contribution mention S4M-13248
  1. 3 Sep 2015
    Sewage Sludge Spreading
    John Scott Con Meeting of the Parliament

    The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-13248, in the name of Margaret Mitchell, on sewage sludge spreading. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. Before I invite Margaret Mitchell to op…