BBC News Online
Planning regulations are set to be tightened after a row broke out over proposals to dump sewage from England on an opencast mine in Scotland.
Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson pledged to take action following a debate in the Scottish Parliament.
Locals have reacted furiously to the proposals for the site at Dalquhandy in Lanarkshire.
Socialist MSP Rosemary Byrne called on the Scottish Executive to take urgent steps to ban the practice.
Ms Byrne said sewage spreading was already happening in other parts of the country.
She said planning permission was not needed and that local communities were kept in the dark.
"We must find a way to treat and dispose of our sewage that is environmentally friendly and poses no risk," she said.
"But it must be done in a manner that is democratic and transparent.
"The communities of Scotland cannot and must not be used as a dumping ground."