§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to offer full compensation to shellfish producers who operate within shellfish fisheries where they are adversely affected by the pumping of sewage into the sea.
§ Mr. CurryAs part of the discussions now underway we are helping shellfishermen to overcome problems arising from the microbiological status of the water. Responsibility in relation to the discharge of sewage or treated sewage effluent lies with the National Rivers Authority, which applies controls by means of consents issued under the Water Resources Act 1991.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being undertaken by his Department to carry out tests on contamination of shellfish fisheries with(a) sewage and (b) heavy metals and other chemicals.
§ Mr. CurryWith the co-operation of the local authorities concerned, my Department has undertaken a 531W comprehensive survey of the microbiological status of all known shellfish-growing waters in England and Wales. The preliminary results of this survey were published for comment in July. A revised survey will be published following discussions with shellfish growers and others now in progress. Monitoring will continue and classifications will be reviewed regularly. The aquatic environment is regularly monitored for levels of heavy metals and other chemicals and reports are published. The latest report, "Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report Number 30" (ISSN 0142–2499), was published in October. A copy is available in the Library of the House. The National Rivers Authority undertakes similar monitoring.