§ Lord Onslow of Wokingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the incidents of pollution of watercourses in England and Wales by synthetic pyrethroid sheep dip during 1998, indicating the extent of the environmental damage caused in each case. [HL888]
§ Lord WhittyThe Environment Agency informs me that in England and Wales in 1998 there were 20 proven cases, and one suspected case of pollution of watercourses by synthetic pyrethroid sheepdips. Pollution incidents are classified by the Environment Agency on a scale of severity from 1 to 5, reflecting the impact on the aquatic environment (1 being "High Significance"—gross contamination and 5 "Low Significance"—little contamination). In 1998 the following rivers and their tributaries were affected:
River Number of incidents Classification River Trent 2 Both 2 River Severn 8 Six class 2, two class 3 Murton Beck 1 Class 2 Sleaford Beck 1 Class 2 River Colhi 2 Both class 3 River Derwent 2 Both class 2 River Lowther 1 Class 1 Gatesgarthdale Beck 1 Class 2 Sherston Avon 1 Class 1 River Clwyd 1 Class 2 River Monrow 1 Class 2