§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring of the impact of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips on(a) the aquatic environment, (b) the soil environment and (c) fisheries (i) has been carried out and (ii) is planned by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29724]
§ Angela EagleThe Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring the aquatic environment and for day-to-day management of freshwater fisheries in England and Wales, has initiated monitoring programmes to assess the impact of sheepdip compounds (including synthetic pyrethroids) on the chemical quality of the aquatic environment (including any effects on fish populations). Monitoring has been targeted on the most intensive sheep rearing areas, including Wales and the Midland region. There is no specific monitoring of soil.
Last month the Government published draft groundwater regulations relating to England, Wales and Scotland which specify additional monitoring requirements for groundwater, including synthetic pyrethroids.