A NEW plan to solve the country's sewage disposal problem by feeding

the material to trees has been presented by the Forestry Authority.

With the required phasing out of the disposal of sewage at sea by

1998, alternative methods have to be found, and research suggests that

sludge could be used very effectively to nourish trees and forests.

Fertiliser use in forestry, although relatively small compared to

agriculture, is essential in many areas to obtain good growth.

Using the recycled nitrogen and phosphorous in sewage sludge would

reduce the requirement for conventional fertilisers, which in turn would

benefit the overall global environment.

Janet Dutch, who heads the Forestry Authority's research in this

field, said: ''The value of sewage sludge as fertiliser has long been

recognised by the agricultural industry, where it has been used for

decades.

''We don't suggest it can be used anywhere, but with proper care it

can be a valuable fertiliser.''

Thirty per cent of the UK's sewage sludge is currently disposed of at

sea, but in Scotland that figure rises to 70%.

'A Manual of Good Practice for the Use of Sewage Sludge in Forestry'

is available from the Forestry Authority Research Division, Alice Holt

Lodge, Farnham, Surrey (priced #5.30).