Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when DEFRA-funded research into water-based sport and recreation was discussed by(a) the Environment Agency Board and (b) each regional fisheries, ecology and recreation advisory committee. [34963]
§ Alun MichaelAn information paper was presented to regional fisheries, ecology and recreation advisory committees at the time the DETR research was commissioned (2001). The final report to DEFRA has only just been published and the summary report will be provided to Committees for the April 2002 round of meetings. The report may subsequently be referred to the agency board.
Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will request the Environment Agency to make a comparative study of arrangements for access to water for non-powered craft in other European countries; and if she will make a statement; [34957]
(2) what assessment she has made of the compatibility of angling and canoeing activities on waters where there is a statutory right of navigation; and if she will make a statement. [34956]
§ Alun MichaelIn December 2001 we published the findings of research into the facts about water-based sport and recreation. The report, "Water-Based Sport and Recreation: the facts", considered the relations between users including anglers and canoeists. The research did not extend to examining the provision of access to water in other European countries.
DEFRA officials will shortly be meeting the other sponsors of the research (British Waterways, the Countryside Agency, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency and Sport England) and other interested Government Departments. In the light of those decisions I shall consider what further work or action we may need to undertake in the light of the report's findings.
Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list new access agreements to moving water for canoeists in England and Wales reached in each of the last 10 years. [34958]
§ Alun MichaelSuch information is not held by this Department or its agencies. However, the report, "Water-Based Sport and Recreation: the facts", found that there were formal access agreements on 812 km of major inland rivers that are not public navigations. Over two thirds of agreements are either for the angling closed season or periods of less than one month.