§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will conduct an investigation into the environmental impact of dumping at sea. [4891]
§ Mr. BaldryDeposit at sea is controlled by means of licences issued under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
In considering a licence application a full assessment is made by our marine scientists and fisheries inspectorates of the potential implications for the marine environment, of any risk to human health and of any nuisance or interference which may he caused to other users of the sea.
1123WLicensed sites are monitored periodically to assess the extent of any environmental effects and to determine the dispersal characteristics of any material disposed of in this way.