§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to monitor the prevalence of particulate matter below 2.5 microns as part of her Department's air quality strategy.[176896]
§ Alun MichaelAs part of the Air Quality Strategy review, Defra will be considering the most appropriate approach for monitoring PM10 and PM2.5.
Defra keeps under review PM2.5 monitoring and the need for possible improvements. The Air Quality Expert Group is due to publish a draft report for comment this summer on particulate matter in the UK. This will include an assessment of PM10 and PM2.5 levels in the UK and recommendations concerning monitoring. The Air Quality Expert Group report will also feed into the review of the Air Quality Strategy.
In addition, there are developments in Europe under Clean Air For Europe on particulate matter which will also feed into the review of the Air Quality Strategy. These include a reconsideration of the number of PM2.5 monitoring sites in each member state.