HC Deb 27 February 2002 vol 380 cc1356-7W
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which independent consultants were consulted by the Environment Agency before they reached their conclusions on the impact of canoeing on fish stocks in November 2000. [34955]

Mr. Morley

The research published in autumn 2000 was conducted on behalf of the Environment Agency by APEM Ltd., Enterprise House, Manchester Science Park, Lloyd Street North, Manchester M15 6SE. The expert panel consulted by APEM on the impact of canoeing on fish stockscomprised:

  • Dr. Gordon Copp, Fish Biologist, University of Hertfordshire;
  • Dr. Nick Giles, Environmental consultant specialising in freshwater fisheries, aquatic ecology and conservation;
  • Professor Paul Giller, Freshwater and community ecologist, Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University College Cork, Ireland;
  • Dr. Anton Ibbetson, Senior Scientific Officer, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology;
  • Dr. Michael Ladle, Retired Head of the Fisheries Department, Institute of Freshwater Ecology;
  • Professor Peter Maitland, Independent freshwater ecology consultant, Fish Conservation Centre, Haddington;
  • Professor Richard Mann, Fish biologist, Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire;
  • Dr. David Summers, Fisheries Manager, Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board;
  • Dr. Ian Winfield, Fish ecologist, Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Environment Agency research document W266 on the impact of canoeing on angling and fish stocks was discussed by(a) the Environment Agency board and (b) each regional fisheries, ecology and recreation advisory committee. [34962]

Mr. Morley

The Environment Agency board does not routinely discuss research documents; it did not discuss research document W266.

All committees were apprised of the research and some chose to discuss it. The North East Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee discussed the document in January, April and October 2001 and South West RFERAC in january 2001. The remainder did not discuss it.