More than 100 Jersey fields named after biosolids information battle

The locations of more than 100 Jersey fields where biosolids fertiliser has been spread have been made public following a Freedom of Information appeal.

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf published the list after the Information Commissioner ordered the Government to disclose the information by 23 September.

The original FOI request was submitted by campaign group Water Awareness Jersey, which challenged the Government's decision not to release the field locations.

Deputy Renouf has emphasised that extensive testing carried out across Jersey has found no evidence that the fields are contaminated with PFAS - a group of chemicals often referred to as "forever chemicals".

He said the testing had produced what he described as "hard scientific data" showing that the fields are not contaminated by PFAS.

The Information Commissioner has also amended the wording of his original decision notice.

Deputy Renouf said it had always been his preference for the information to be made public, particularly given the Government's position that there is no public health risk from PFAS associated with the use of biosolids on agricultural land.

"If our argument is that there is no risk to the public, then it seems to me quite hard to argue that we shouldn't release the information," he told Channel 103.

He said publishing the field numbers would remove any uncertainty over where biosolids had been applied.

The minister added that the Government was investing significant resources in understanding PFAS in Jersey through scientific research and monitoring, and said information released to the public should reflect the available evidence.

The use of biosolids in Jersey is regulated, with agricultural fields required to undergo assessment before the material can be applied.

Deputy Renouf said there was "no in-principle reason" why biosolids could not continue to be used, provided they were applied in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.

Government information published alongside the field list acknowledges that PFAS chemicals have been detected in Jersey's biosolids, but says they have been found at low concentrations.

Independent assessments have concluded that applying biosolids at approved rates would add only a small amount of PFAS to soil, with the estimated contribution remaining substantially below a proposed screening threshold for identifying affected agricultural land.

The Government says current evidence does not show that land becomes contaminated simply as a result of biosolids being applied.

It concluded that scientific evidence and ongoing monitoring indicate biosolids can be used safely when they are managed and applied in line with regulatory requirements and accepted agricultural practices.