HC Deb 27 July 1989 vol 157 cc962-3W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what control powers he ensures that the siting of shell fish farms causes minimal disturbance to ecologically important areas; whether he intends to seek to introduce new controls; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

[holding answer 25 July 1989]: My Department exercises no specific powers in relation to the siting of shell fish farms, though all such businesses must register with the appropriate fisheries department under the terms of the Registration of Fish Farming and Shellfish Farming Businesses Order 1985. However, shell fish farms are subject to a range of statutory controls including those relating to sites of special scientific interest notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Moreover, all such operations must first obtain the consent of the owner of the seabed, normally the Crown Estates Commissioners. There are no plans to change the present arrangements.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) to what extent he takes account of a possible breach of section 14(1)(a) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 when granting a licence for alien shell fish cultivation; and if he will make a statement;

(2) under what circumstances he licenses the cultivation of alien shell fish in British waters; and if he will make a statement;

(3) under what powers he can prevent the release of alien shell fish into the wider marine environment; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what monitoring and assessment he is making of the environmental impact of shell fish farming of alien species; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

[holding answers 25 and 26 July 1989]: Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to release or allow to escape into the wild any animal of a kind which is not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild state; or which is included in part 1 of schedule 9. However, introductions into the wild may be authorised by a licence granted under section 16 of the Act and after consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council. Such licences may be general or specific and subject to appropriate conditions. Presently general licences permit releases of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Portuguese oysters (Crassostrea angulata). The release of any other species of alien shell fish would require a specific licence. Moreover, all deposits of molluscan shell fish whether native or non-native, are subject to licensing under the Molluscan Shellfish (Control of Deposit) Order 1974, as varied.

The suitability of alien shell fish for cultivation in our waters is thoroughly investigated by my fisheries scentists, who take account of the scope for natural recruitment and potential ecological impact. In addition, appropriate steps are taken to ensure that any imported broodstock are free from alien shell fish parasites or disease. There is no evidence of natural recruitment or ecological harm having arisen from the cultivation of Pacific or Portuguese oysters.