§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the protection of offshore natural features. [109619]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government is committed to a range of initiatives aimed at protecting the marine environment as outlined in our first Marine Stewardship Report "Safeguarding Our Seas: A Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of our Marine Environment". This includes extending the protection afforded by the Habitats and Birds Directives to offshore areas to protect important natural habitats and species. We aim to consult on draft regulations this summer. We are also looking at ways to improve the
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Title Funding Body Contractor contact Contractor Remarks Start date End date Status Genetic variation in susceptibility to chronic effects of organophosphate exposure HSE Dr. Nicola Cherry Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester Letter published in Lancet (2002 March, v159). Available at VMD website at http://www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development > Current Projects Final report imminent January 1999 March 2002 Completed Survey of health complaints among sheep–dippers Defra Science Directorate Dr. Tony Fletcher London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine January 2001 December 2002 Completed Dose effect profiles for OP sheep dip on brain electrical activity and cognitive performance Defra Science Directorate Dr. Leah Scott DSTL, Porton Down Available at VMD website at http:// www.vmd.gov.uk/via > Research & Development > Current Projects
April 1998 December 2002 Completed—final report awaited Prospective cohort study of sheep dip exposure and dipper's flu HSE Dr. Andrew Povey Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester Commencement of project negotiations delayed by FMD, then contractual reconciliation within contractor consortium January 2003 July 2005 Work imminently starting protection available to marine species and habitats, including in the offshore area, through our Review of Marine Nature Conservation. We expect the Review to publish its recommendations early next year.