§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the incidence of surface and groundwater pollution caused by(a) motorway and highways run-off and (b) agricultural activities; and if he will quantify the damage caused by both. [52208]
§ Angela EagleThe Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring the aquatic environment in England and Wales, has recently published a report entitled 'The State of the Environment of England and Wales'. It shows that agricultural activity was responsible for 10 per cent. of the total pollution incidents and the transport sector, which includes motorway and highways run-off, was responsible for 9 per cent. of pollution incidents. While diffuse sources of pollution are difficult to quantify, the Environment Agency is aware of the significance of both these sources of diffuse pollution.