4 Dec 2002 : Column 787W
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 4 December 2002
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Cetaceans
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the number of cetaceans killed as a result of fishing by catch in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement. [84463]
Mr. Morley: Information on the full extent of dolphin casualties caused by fishing is not available.
Sample surveys carried out by the Sea Mammal Research Unit on behalf of DEFRA on UK vessels have recorded 61 animals killed since January 2001 as a result of bycatch in the bass fishery, of which eight occurred in the last 12 months. In this period, no bycatch has been observed in any other fishery. We are currently conducting trials into the use of exclusion devices to reduce bycatch in the bass fishery.
Countryside and Rights of Way Act
Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to decide whether to allow the new rights of access under part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to be implemented on a regional basis; and if she will make a statement. [83853]
Alun Michael: I am pleased to be able to tell my hon. Friend that this issue has now been resolved and I announced my decision to implement the new right of access on a regional basis via a written ministerial statement on 28 November 2002, Official Report, columns 48–49WS.
Desalination
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the desalination of sea water for drinking water purposes. [84743]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 December 2002]: There are a number of sources for providing raw water for treatment to drinking water standards for the public water supply. The principal sources from which water is abstracted at present are surface waters (rivers and reservoirs) and groundwater (e.g. chalk aquifers).
Desalination of sea water is energy intensive and results in waste products that are difficult to dispose of, and is currently not viewed as a sustainable option. Desalination would need to be identified as an option in a water undertaker's water resources plan, and agreed with the Environment Agency, if it were to be considered an option for public water supply.
4 Dec 2002 : Column 788W
Fisheries
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what United Kingdom legislation will restrict the number of days at sea for fishing vessels capturing and landing cod from 1 January 2003; whether amendments to legislation are necessary to achieve Government objectives; and if she will make a statement. [85508]
Mr. Morley: I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Fuel Poverty
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of fuel poverty in rural areas. [84137]
Mr. Morley: A summary report published in August 2001, Fuel Poverty in England 1998, estimated that around 19 per cent. of rural households were in fuel poverty, compared with 15 per cent. of urban households. These figures will be updated in due course with the release of the 2001 English House Condition Survey.
The depth of fuel poverty in rural areas may be affected by a number of factors. These include the disproportionate number of households which are off the mains gas network and properties which are considered hard to heat.
A working group was established in 2001 to investigate extension of the gas network. There is evidence that lack of access to mains gas, which is currently the cheapest and most efficient fuel for domestic heating, contributes to keeping households in fuel poverty. The Working Group concluded that a full-scale extension of the gas network could not be justified on cost benefit grounds, but that extension to a more limited extent would be justified in certain cases. Work is progressing on identifying priority areas for any possible future extensions of the gas network.
My Department recently commissioned a scoping study which is looking at the potential for alternative technologies to help tackle fuel poverty. This could be of particular relevance for rural communities, especially areas without access to the gas network. The study will also consider alternative methods for the treatment of 'hard to heat' homes. The report is expected early in the new year.
The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, which was set up to advise Government on achieving its goal of ending fuel poverty, is also looking at issues which effect rural areas. It has already considered a paper on households without access to gas and is due to discuss households which are considered to be 'hard to heat'.
Kyoto Protocol
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects that the United Kingdom will meet its emission standards under the Kyoto Protocol. [84191]
4 Dec 2002 : Column 789W
Mr. Meacher: We expect to meet our current commitment under the Kyoto Protocol during the period 2008 to 2012. The UK is committed under the Protocol to achieve an emissions reduction of at least 12.5 per cent. on average over these five years. The reduction is relative to base year emissions in 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for the fluorinated greenhouse gases. Compliance will be assessed after 2012. UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2000 were 13 per cent. below those in the base year.
Livestock Premiums
Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to ensure prompt payments to farmers in respect of the beef premium, suckler cow premium and slaughter premiums. [84965]
Alun Michael: EC rules do not allow payment of premium in respect of the Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium and Slaughter Premium to be made before 16 October of the calendar year to which payments apply.
The prompt payment of claims for advance payment of 2002 bovine premia depends on a number of factors including:
- the animals must have completed their retention period;
claims must be error free;
the animals must have completed their cross check against the Cattle Tracing System database.
No payments have yet been made on the Suckler Cow Premiums because of the need to re-write the Suckler Cow Premiums IT system. Payments are however expected to begin in late December.
Official Engagements
Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list her official engagements in the week commencing 25 November 2002. [84229]
Alun Michael: The Secretary of State makes it a practice not to publish her diary. Much of her time this week has necessarily been taken up with essential meetings with ministerial colleagues and officials on the
4 Dec 2002 : Column 790W
various aspects of this Department's wide ranging portfolio. In addition to this, she had speaking engagements on both Monday and Tuesday. Immediately after Cabinet on Thursday, she travelled to Brussels, to attend the monthly Agriculture Council for the remainder of the week.
Water Abstraction
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been conducted for (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency on sites which (i) have been damaged by water abstraction and (ii) are threatened by continued water abstraction since 1995; and if she will list the locations of these sites. [84734]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 December 2002]: The Environment Agency has set up the Restoring Sustainable Abstraction Programme to co-ordinate the assessment of the impact of water abstraction upon the environment. The programme brings together work relating to:
- the review of consents required on European designated sites under the Conservation (Habitat &c.) Regulations 1994
the statutory duty under Section 28G of the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 in relation to Sites of Special Scientific Interest
non-designated sites.
The Agency is working closely with English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales to identify designated sites that should be included in the programme. Sites within the programme are prioritised according to their importance, i.e. the level of designation, and urgency, i.e. the environmental risk posed. The Agency is developing a timetable for progressing investigations of these sites taking into account its available resources.
Until the investigation work has been completed there is no definitive list available of all sites which have been, or are threatened with damage as a result of abstraction except for a list of SSSIs where investigations have shown that abstractions are having a detrimental impact. The table details sites where investigations have shown that abstractions are having a significant detrimental impact and remedial action has been taken and completed.
| SSSI name | County | Abstractor | Action taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chippenham Fen | Cambridgeshire | — | Compensation borehole |
| Thriplow Peat Holes | Cambridgeshire | — | Compensation borehole |
| Ashwell Springs | Hertfordshire | — | Compensation water provided |
| Cornard Mere | Suffolk | — | Compensation water increased |
| Edgbaston Pool | West Midlands | Golf club | Alternative supply found |
| Old Rectory Meadows | Buckinghamshire | Thames Water and Three Valleys Water | River Misbourne alleviation scheme |
| Redgrave and Lopham Fen | Suffolk | Essex and Suffolk Water | Cessation of abstraction and relocation of borehole |
| Sandwich Bay and Hacklinge Marshes | Kent | Southern Water | Licence revocation. |
| River Gelt | Cumbria | United Utilities | Modification of intake structures |
| North Dartmoor (Taw Marsh) | Devon | South West Water | Licence revocation |
4 Dec 2002 : Column 791W
The sites in the table have had funding agreed through the Periodic Review of water prices for the period 2000–04 to allow implementation of solutions to alleviate the impact of water company abstractions.
4 Dec 2002 : Column 792W
Other sites have been funded for investigation only, and any necessary remedial action will be taken as appropriate.
| SSSI name | County | Abstractor | Action taken | Completion date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Eden and Tributaries | Cumbria | North West Water | Relocation of the discharge of compensation flow to remove dry stretch. | 2002 |
| East Ruston Common | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Reduction of licensed abstraction by 50 per cent. at East Ruston. | 2003 |
| Bowland Fells | Lancashire | North West Water | Investigation, reduction and relocation as well as new treatment works. | 2003 |
| The Moors, Bishop's Waltham | Hampshire | Portsmouth Water | Close pumping station and develop new source. | 2003 |
| Severn Trent Water: Blakedown Brook | ||||
| South Staffs Water: Hurcott and Podmore Pools | Worcestershire | Severn Trent Water and South Staffordshire Water | Severn Trent Water: low flow river compensation works to provide up to 2MI/d into the Blakedown Book. Diverted output and additional flow. Reduction in groundwater abstration. | 2003 |
| Arundel Park | West Sussex | Southern Water | Partial licence revocation. | 2003 |
| River Camel | Cornwall | South West Water | Investigate and adjust licence operating conditions | 2003 |
| Speen (part of Kennet and Lambourn SAC) | Berkshire | Thames Water | Precautionary investigation of possible impact through monitoring of shallow groundwater head. Implement solution. | 2003 |
| River Avon | Wiltshire | Wessex Water | Reduction of abstraction at Chitterne and use of other sources | 2003 |
| River Itchen | Hampshire | Southern Water (SW) and Portsmouth Water (PW) | Input to catchment modelling investigations and implementation. SW: general R. Itchen SAC investigation. PW: R. Itchen model Fish Screen not included in price limits | 2004 |
| Didlington Park Lakes | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigation and abstraction reduction (25 per cent. at two boreholes). | 2005 |
| Kenninghall and Banham Fens and Quidenham Mere | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigation to identify potential impact and abstraction reduction by 25 per cent. at three boreholes. | 2005 |
| Sheringham and Beeston Regis Common | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigations and relocation of public water supply boreholes. | 2005 |
| Yare Broads and Marshes | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigation and reduction of licensed abstraction by 75 per cent. at Strumpshaw. | 2005 |
| Fowlmere | Cambridgeshire | Cambridge Water | Investigation and reduction in licensed abstraction by 50 per cent. | 2005 |
| Cattawade Marshes | Essex | Essex and Suffolk Water | Investigation and reduction in licensed abstraction | 2005 |
| Aqualate Mere | Staffordshire | Severn Trent Water | Investigate low-flow river and implement solution | 2005 |
| Hewell Park Lake | Worcestershire | Severn Trent Water | Implement compensation from Brockhill source during low water levels | 2005 |
| Sulham and Tidmarsh Woods and Meadows | Berkshire | Thames | Investigate and implement solution, including possible modification to licence at Pangbourne | 2005 |
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the sites where action has been taken by (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency since 1995 on SSSIs which (i) have been damaged and (ii) are threatened with damage from water abstraction, and in each case list the nature of this action. [84735]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 December 2002]: The Environment Agency regulates water abstraction and is the statutory body with a duty to secure the proper use of water resources in England and Wales.
The Environment Agency and English Nature are working closely together to identify those SSSIs which are, or may be, affected by abstraction. In September 1999 the joint Agency and English Nature document 'Water abstraction and Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England' was published. This document contains details of SSSIs identified as being potentially linked to abstraction. Subsequently a limited number of additional sites have been highlighted and included in the Agency's Restoring Sustainable Abstraction Programme.
The following table details sites where investigations have shown that abstractions are having a significant detrimental impact and remedial action has been taken and completed.
4 Dec 2002 : Column 793W
| SSSI name | County | Abstractor | Action taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chippenham Fen | Cambridgeshire | — | Compensation borehole |
| Thriplow Peat Holes | Cambridgeshire | — | Compensation borehole |
| Ashwell Springs | Hertfordshire | — | Compensation water provided |
| Cornard Mere | Suffolk | — | Compensation water increased |
| Edgbaston Pool | West Midlands | Golf club | Alternative supply found |
| Old Rectory Meadows | Buckinghamshire | Thames Water and Three Valleys Water | PWS; River Misbourne alleviation scheme |
| Redgrave and Lopham Fen | Suffolk | Essex and Suffolk Water | Cessation of abstraction and relocation of borehole |
| Sandwich Bay and Hacklinge Marshes | Kent | Southern Water | Licence revocation |
| River Gelt | Cumbria | United Utilities | Modification of intake structures |
| North Dartmoor (Taw Marsh) | Devon | South West Water | Licence revocation |
The sites in the table below have had funding agreed through Asset Management Plan 3 (AMPS) for implementation of solutions to alleviate the impact of
4 Dec 2002 : Column 794W
abstraction. Other sites have been funded for investigation only, any necessary remedial action will be taken as appropriate.
| SSSI name | County | Abstractor | Action taken | Completion date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Eden and Tributaries | Cumbria | North West Water | Relocation of the discharge of compensation flow to remove dry stretch | 2002 |
| East Ruston Common | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Reduction of licensed abstraction by 50 per cent. at East Ruston | 2003 |
| Bowland Fells | Lancashire | North West Water | Investigation, reduction and relocation as well as new treatment works | 2003 |
| The Moors, Bishop's Waltham | Hampshire | Portsmouth Water | Close pumping station and develop new source | 2003 |
| Severn Trent Water: Blakedown Brook | Worcestershire | Seven Trent Water and South Staffordshire Water | Severn Trent Water: low flow river compensation works to provide up to 2Ml/d into the Blakedown Brook | 2003 |
| South Staffs Water: Hurcott and Podmore Pools | Diverted output and additional flows. Reduction in groundwater abstraction | |||
| Arundel Park | West Sussex | Southern Water | Partial licence revocation | 2003 |
| River Camel | Cornwall | South West Water | Investigate and adjust licence operating conditions | 2003 |
| Speen (part of Kennet and Lambourn SAC) | Berkshire | Thames Water | Precautionary investigation of possible impact through monitoring of shallow groundwater head. Implement solution | 2003 |
| River Avon | Wiltshire | Wessex Water | Reduction of abstraction at Chitterne and use of other sources | 2003 |
| River Itchen | Hampshire | Southern Water and Portsmouth Water | Input to catchment modelling investigations and implementation. SW: general R. Itchen SAC investigation. PW: R. Itchen model Fish Screen not included in price limits | 2004 |
| Didlington Park Lakes | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigation and abstraction reduction (25 per cent. at two boreholes) | 2005 |
| Kenninghall and Banham Fens and Quidenham Mere | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigation to identify potential impact and abstraction reduction by 25 per cent. at three boreholes | 2005 |
| Sheringham and Beeston Regis Common | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigations and relocation of PWS boreholes | 2005 |
| Yare Broads and Marshes | Norfolk | Anglian Water | Investigation and reduction of licensed abstraction by 75 per cent. at Strumpshaw | 2005 |
| Fowlmere | Cambridgeshire | Cambridge Water | Investigation and reduction in licensed abstraction by 50 per cent. | 2005 |
| Cattawade Marshes | Essex | Essex and Suffolk Water | Investigation and reduction in licensed abstraction | 2005 |
| Aqualate Mere | Staffordshire | Severn Trent Water | Investigate low-flow river and implement solution | 2005 |
| Hewell Park Lake | Worcestershire | Severn Trent Water | Implement compensation from Brockhill source during low water levels | 2005 |
| Sulham and Tidmarsh Woods and Meadows | Berkshire | Thames | Investigate and implement solution, including possible modification to licence at Pangbourne | 2005 |
The Environment Agency, in liaison with English Nature, are currently reviewing existing abstraction licences and other permissions in accordance with the requirements of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. The investigation and subsequent remedial action at European designated sites will also contribute to the protection of SSSIs as they make up Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.
Investigation of SSSIs, identified through the Restoring Sustainable Abstraction Programme, will be undertaken on the basis of the priority assigned. A
4 Dec 2002 : Column 795W
number of sites where there is a potential link to water company abstraction have been identified for possible funding through AMP4, although further progression will be subject to further Ministerial Advice and the outcome of the 2004 Periodic Review process.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many water abstraction licences were revoked in each year since 1995; and if she will list (a) the holder of the licence, (b) the location of the licence, (c) the reasons for the action, (d) the total water volume of the original licence and (e) the amount of compensation paid as a result, in each case. [84736]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 December 2002]: The information requested is not currently held in a central, accessible form within the Environment Agency. A requirement has been identified, through the Agency's Restoring Sustainable Abstraction Programme, to store such information centrally. Work is currently in progress to modify existing database systems to allow this.
In seeking to address environmental problems resulting from the effects of abstractions the Agency seeks wherever possible to secure negotiated and agreed solutions that avoid the necessity to use its statutory powers of revocation and the need for compensation. To date it has not used its statutory powers.
The Agency has, however, identified three examples where it has secured environmentally beneficial solutions by making contributory payments. This may not be an exhaustive list.
The then NRA, pursuing its programme of resource recovery, negotiated with the holder of a surface water spray irrigation licence having a major impact on river flows during low flow periods. Agreement was reached to replace the unconstrained licence by a new borehole having significantly less impact on the river. The NRA undertook to construct and test pump the borehole at a cost of about £60,000.
A high profile scheme was agreed to rescue this fen from damage by an abstraction by Essex and Suffolk Water. It involved relocating a public water supply borehole away from the fen. Total cost of the project was £3.2 million of which the Agency contributed £0.78 million. The rest came from Essex and Suffolk Water (£1.02 million) and an EC life grant (£1.4 million).
To restore flows in a small north Norfolk river, the Agency persuaded a local farming company to replace a summer surface water licence with a groundwater source. Licensing the borehole involved laying a water main to some isolated properties to prevent derogation of the rights of other abstractors. The Agency paid the £30,000 cost of that.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the abstraction management requirements are which the UK must implement in order to comply with the EC Water Framework Directive. [84737]
4 Dec 2002 : Column 796W
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 December 2002]: In respect of the management of the abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater, Article 11(3)(e) of the EC Water Framework Directive requires that:
- there must be controls over abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater;
a register of abstractions must be maintained;
abstractions must have prior authorisation; and
controls must be periodically reviewed, and where necessary updated.
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 December 2002]: The controls on abstraction in Part II of the Water Resources Act 1991 and the clauses in the draft Water Bill will together be largely sufficient to deliver the obligation under Article 11(3)(e) of the Water Framework Directive. However, there are a number of small, but potentially significant, aspects of the abstraction licensing system that will require further consideration. The Department is currently consulting on what additional measures beyond the proposals in the Water Bill may be needed to fully implement the requirements arising under that Article.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |