§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what tests he has conducted for levels of tributyltin in fish and shellfish; if he will publish the results; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action he is taking to ensure that fish stocks are prevented from contamination by the anti-fouling agent tributyltin; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what analysis he has carried out to assess the levels of tributyltin in United Kingdom coastal waters; and if he will publish the results.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department began a programme to measure tributyltin (TBT) levels in water, fish and shellfish in 1982. Measures to control the use of TBT were introduced in 1986 and 1987. These include a ban on the use of TBT anti-fouling paints on boats less than 25 m in length. Since that time this Department, jointly with the Department of the Environment, has commissioned a more intensive research and monitoring programme to assess the efficacy of these control measures. Reports on this work have been published at regular intervals in the scientific press and brief details were included in the directorate of fisheries research aquatic environment monitoring report No. 22, copies of which are being placed in the Library of the House. Further more comprehensive and updated reports are currently in the process of being published. The results of this work show that TBT levels are declining and affected populations are recovering. Levels in the worst affected areas have declined by between six and ten-fold since 1986, as a direct result of the controls applied.
Work is now focused on establishing the most effective means of controlling inputs to harbours and other areas affected by the use of TBT anti-fouling paints on deep water ships.