HL Deb 10 March 1997 vol 579 cc12-3WA
Lord Moran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is correct that the Environment Agency has no policy on endocrine disrupters and does no general monitoring for them and whether the Government are satisfied with this state of affairs, in the light, for example, of reports that recent research has shown that fish in the estuary of the Tyne are suffering oestrogenic effects.

Earl Ferrers

There is at present a great deal of uncertainty surrounding endocrine disrupters and the role which they may play in adversely affecting human health and wildlife. Given the potential importance of any adverse effects, Government departments, agencies (including the Environment Agency) and research councils, led by the Department of the Environment, are funding co-ordinated research in order to improve understanding of this area. This research includes evaluation of effects in humans and wildlife and identification and prioritisation of substances, which are suspected of being endocrine disrupters. The information generated will be used to assist in defining monitoring needs in different environmental media and to identify the need for regulatory or enforcement action.

The Environment Agency (and formerly as the National Rivers Authority) has been undertaking monitoring and research on endocrine disrupters since 1993. Important studies, which have been funded by the agency, have reported the identity of oestrogenic compounds in sewage effluents and supported reduction in discharges of endocrine disrupters (alkylphenols) to the River Aire. Further research and monitoring is planned including studies on impacts in the marine environment.

The Environment Agency's present policy concentrates on monitoring for specific endocrine disrupting substances, targeted pollution prevention exercises and strategic research. The agency is currently preparing a strategy document on endocrine disrupters which will support its policy and define its future work programme in this area, including further plans for monitoring of endocrine disrupters. This document will be published by July 1997.