HC Deb 18 July 1984 vol 64 cc263-4W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has any plans to undertake studies, or to commission studies, into the role and fate of human pathogens, especially viruses in the marine environment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

Studies into the role of human pathogens, including viruses, in shellfish are being carried out at the Ministry's fisheries laboratory in Burnham-on-Crouch. Additional studies, funded by the Department of Health and Social Security are taking place at the central public health laboratory, Colindale, in co-operation with scientists from this Ministry.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has any plans to undertake studies, or to commission studies, on the causative mechanism of algal blooms, such as those known as red-tides.

Mr. MacGregor

The available evidence suggests that algal blooms, including red tides, are natural phenomena. Because of an apparent increase in algal blooms off the south-west and north-east coasts, the Ministry's fisheries laboratory at Burnham-on-Crouch is currently reviewing the causes of such blooms and is discussing with other research bodies the possibility of carrying out a joint study.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has any plans to undertake studies, or to commission studies, of dumping site monitoring and its relationship with an overall marine monitoring strategy.

Mr. MacGregor

My Department carries out detailed monitoring studies of dumping sites off the coasts of England and Wales, and more general monitoring further offshore. Similar studies are arranged by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. The regional water authorities also contribute, with MAFF and DAFS, to the joint monitoring programme of the Oslo convention on dumping of wastes at sea and the Paris convention on pollution from land-based sources. There is, therefore, a considerable co-ordination of activities to meet national and international needs.