HL Deb 14 July 1998 vol 592 c14WA
Earl Peel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the research on piscivorous birds, currently funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, is due for completion; and whether this research will assess the impact of these birds on juvenile and smolt stage salmon and sea trout. [HL2596]

Lord Donoughue

The MAFF/DETR/Environment Agency joint programme of research on piscivorous birds consists of five projects. The last project to be completed consists of case studies to assess the impact of piscivorous birds, particularly cormorants, on inland fisheries in England and Wales and includes studies on salmon and trout parr but not smolts. The project is currently expected to be completed in November 1998.