§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the Government plan to take to protect cetaceans from pollution and other environmental damage; and if he will make a statement. [28126]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Government are committed to the protection of the marine environment, and play an active role in international fora aimed of conserving cetacean numbers.
Although direct evidence of adverse effects from chemical pollution and climate change is scarce, the UK is participating in discussions, initiated by the International Whaling Commission, to consider the effects of both of these processes.
The Government have also recently played a major role in developing protocols aimed at tackling persistent air borne and land sourced organic pollutants in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the UN environment programme.