Flood and Coastal Defence (Hansard, 11 May 1994)

§ Mr. Clifton-Brown
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the Government's flood and coastal defence strategy.

§ Mr. Jack
After extensive consultations with a wide range of organisations, my right hon. Friend the Minister published the strategy for flood and coastal defence in England and Wales in October 1993. Copies were placed in the Library of the House.
The strategy reaffirms the Government's commitment to reducing the risks to people and to the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion, by encouraging the provision of technically, environmentally and economically sound and sustainable defence measures. In particular, it emphasises that the safeguarding of lives 145W must be the highest priority; that a strategic approach should be adopted, taking account of the potential impact of defences on natural river and coastal processes; and that environmental considerations should be integral to flood and coastal defence policy.

§ Mr. Clifton-Brown
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the place of arterial drainage infrastructure and sea defence works in British agriculture.

§ Mr. Jack
The Government's flood and coastal defence strategy for England and Wales recognises that over 50 per cent. of grade 1 agricultural land is situated in areas which depend on flood defence or arterial drainage works to maintain their productive capacity. The maintenance of this infrastructure is supported through central Government's financial support for local authorities.
As far as capital works are concerned, the Ministry no longer provides financial support for new rural arterial

Imports of sheep from Spain and Poland since 1 January 1994

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Date of arrival at slaughterhouse Date of importation Number of animals recorded on the health certificate Number of animals inspected on arrival at slaughterhouse Number of animals recorded at lairages in Great Britain

17 February 1994 16 February 1994 300 289 Not recorded

8 March 1994 3 March 1994 300 291 297 animals recorded at lairage at Dover (including 2 dead on arrival and 4 unfit for further transit

9 March 1994 8 March 1994 334 328 Not recorded

17 March 1994 17 March 1994 351 350 No Great Britain lairage used

28 January 1994 27 January 1994 300 243 Not recorded

15 February 1994 14 February 1994 250 188 No Great Britain lairage used

8 March 1994 7 March 1994 300 290 Not recorded

23 March 1994 22 March 1994 300 268 300 animals recorded at lairage at Southampton (including 4 dead on arrival and 28 unfit for further transit)

Imports of sheep from Spain and Poland since 1 January 1994
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
Date of arrival at slaughterhouse	Date of importation	Number of animals recorded on the health certificate	Number of animals inspected on arrival at slaughterhouse	Number of animals recorded at lairages in Great Britain
17 February 1994	16 February 1994	300	289	Not recorded
8 March 1994	3 March 1994	300	291	297 animals recorded at lairage at Dover (including 2 dead on arrival and 4 unfit for further transit
9 March 1994	8 March 1994	334	328	Not recorded
17 March 1994	17 March 1994	351	350	No Great Britain lairage used
28 January 1994	27 January 1994	300	243	Not recorded
15 February 1994	14 February 1994	250	188	No Great Britain lairage used
8 March 1994	7 March 1994	300	290	Not recorded
23 March 1994	22 March 1994	300	268	300 animals recorded at lairage at Southampton (including 4 dead on arrival and 28 unfit for further transit)