§ 114. Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the impact of pollutants on wildlife and trees especially in England and Wales.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Department's review groups on acid waters and terrestrial effects have assessed the impacts of pollutants on freshwaters, crops, trees and vegetation in the United Kingdom. Copies of the reports have been placed in the Library of the House.
In the north and south-west of England, in Northern Ireland and in many parts of Scotland and Wales, there are areas with soils and underlying rocks sensitive to acid 730W deposition. In some of these areas the deposition of pollutants has caused water and soil acidification. The principal impact on wildlife is a reduction of fish and invertebrate species in affected streams, and a consequent reduction in habitat for species which feed on them. The terrestrial effects review group identified air pollution as a potential stress on trees, but was unable to specify where or to what extent trees were adversely affected. The Department has decided to set up a further review group specifically to look at the latest evidence on the impact of air pollution or tree health.