§ Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet representatives of angling associations to discuss the assistance which they can provide in the monitoring of invertebrates in rivers. [163078]
§ Mr. Bradshaw[holding answer 24 March 2004]No. However, the Government are aware of concerns over invertebrate numbers in rivers. The Environment Agency has undertaken evaluation of invertebrate data collected for General Water Quality monitoring; this analysis continues and is moving to establish definitive research to identify the causes in the decline of invertebrate numbers. The Environment Agency is engaged with angling organisations as to how anglers may help in developing this work. The Government will 1105W continue to encourage the Environment Agency to proceed with the research and collaboration with anglers and other interested bodies.