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Sea Level Rises, East Anglia
Mr. David Porter: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes to sea defence or coastal protection policy and funding he plans to make to respond to predicted sea level rises in East Anglia by (a) 2020 and (b) 2050; and if he will make a statement. [36023]
Mr. Boswell: The Ministry fully recognises the need to plan for possible sea level rises and has, since 1989, issued guidance to operating authorities inter alia on allowances for particular stretches of coastline.
For East Anglia the allowance recommended by the Ministry is 6 mm per year or 6 cm per decade. Also, MAFF advice on best practice for coastal defences recommends that consideration is given to incorporating flexibility as coastal defences are renewed or improved to allow for any future change in predictions, particularly where coastal defences have an effective life beyond 2030.
The second report of the UK climate change impacts review group announced on 2 July 1996 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment provides an analysis of impacts in the UK and suggests that sea levels could rise at a rate of 5 cm per decade, with more rapid sea level rises along the East Anglian and south coast, taking into account predicted vertical land movements.
The Ministry will keep under review guidance on the allowances to be made in the planning of coastal defence measures for sea level rise in the light of the CCIRG report and continuing national and international studies.
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The Ministry also funds research projects addressing the implications of climate change to ensure a consonant coastal defence response. In addition, the Ministry funds a national tide gauge network which monitors changes in sea level and geological movement. Decisions on future funding, through Ministry grants, will continue to be based on an analysis of priority works, taking account of the impact of climate change.
Mr. Matthew Banks:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are in place to protect Great Britain against the possibility of foot and mouth disease being introduced into Great Britain through the importation of elephants. [36666]
Mrs. Browning:
Foot and mouth disease is a significant animal health problem in some parts of the world. That is why we have amended the Importation of Animals Order 1977. From the date of the amending order coming into force, it will be possible for elephants to be imported into Great Britain only under the authority of a licence. Any licences issued will contain specific animal health requirements to ensure that Great Britain's freedom from foot and mouth disease, and other diseases to which elephants are susceptible, is not compromised.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each year since 1989 renderers were prosecuted for failure to comply with regulations relating to BSE governing the production, distribution and supply of rendered material. [31253]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 4 June 1996]: There have been no prosecutions of renderers under legislation relating to BSE regarding the production, distribution and supply of rendered material since 1989.
Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on European Union negotiations of failures since 1989 by feed mills, rendering plants and abattoirs to implement fully BSE-related regulations. [31245]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 4 June 1996]: The Commission and our European partners recognise the increasingly stringent steps taken since 1988 to ensure compliance with BSE measures. Perceived shortcomings in the operation of earlier measures have not helped the UK in EC negotiations.
Mr. Barry Field:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the size in millimetres of (a) the shingle available on Shingles Bank that it is proposed is used for beach nourishment and replacement and (b) the largest licensed shingle commercially available. [35307]
Mr. Boswell
[holding answer 2 July 1996]: The nominal maximum size of the shingle available from Shingles Bank is 50 mm; for the commercial source offered in response to tender it was 30 mm.
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Mr. Hain:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what context the possibility of European Union legislation on dietary supplements was raised in the intergovernmental conference; what steps were taken at that conference by his Department to seek to promote access to consumers to such supplements throughout the European Union unless there is a proven health risk; and if he will make a statement. [35378]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 8 July 1996]: The possibility of European Union legislation on dietary supplements has not been discussed at the intergovernmental conference so far as I am aware.
Mr. Hain:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which division of his Department will deal with matters arising from the forthcoming European Commission discussion document on dietary supplements; what plans that division has to consult with pan-European consumer organisations, with particular reference to Consumers for Health Choice; and if he will make a statement. [35379]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 8 July 1996]: Responsibility within the Ministry for matters relating to dietary supplements rests primarily with the consumer and nutrition policy division, which will take the lead in dealing with matters arising from any discussion document on this subject issued by the European Commission. In doing so it will consult interested parties, including Consumers for Health Choice.
Mr. Alex Carlile:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the
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research held by his Department on the effects of organophosphorous sheep dips on people; and if he will make a statement. [35514]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 8 July 1996]: As part of the continuing review of the use of organophosphorus sheep dips by the Veterinary Products Committee, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate considers a very large quantity of published scientific literature on organophosphates, including papers on the effects in animals and humans. A list of references has been placed in the Library of the House. Information received from commercial companies in support of applications for marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal produce is subject to the confidentiality restrictions of section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968.
Mr. Carlile:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the risks to people and the environment of (a) Propetamphos and (b) Diazinon, when used in organophosphorus sheep dips. [35515]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 8 July 1996]: Organophosphates for use on sheep and cattle are classified as veterinary medicines. Before they may be marketed in the UK all veterinary medicines, including organophosphorus sheep dips containing Propetamphos and Diazinon, must be authorised in accordance with EC and UK legislation. This requires assessment of scientific data provided by the applicant company against the statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy, to ensure that they are safe and effective when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, including the wearing of protective clothing where appropriate. Safety includes safety to the operator, to the consumer of any food products from treated animals, to the environment, and the health and welfare of the treated animal.