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30 Apr 2004 : Column 1347W—continued
Growth Promoters (Animal Feeds)
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the EU ban on the use of antimicrobial growth promoters in animal feeds; and if she will make a statement. [167071]
Mr. Bradshaw:
The EU-wide ban on the use of antimicrobial growth promoters comes into effect on
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1 January 2006. The VMD collects and publishes annual figures of sales of all veterinary therapeutic and growth promoting antimicrobials to monitor changes in sales of these products. The latest figures available show that sales of antimicrobial growth promoters had reduced to 27 tonnes of active ingredients in 2002.
Officials from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) have held a number of discussions with colleagues from Denmark and other countries that have already voluntarily banned the use of antimicrobial growth promoters. They have considered their experiences and the success of the measures put into place to minimise any adverse effects from the loss of these products. In the period following the ban an increase in animal illness had been noticed that lead to an increase in use of therapeutic antimicrobials.
This information is being shared with industry through VMD's regular meetings with the Responsible Use of Medicines In Agriculture (RUMA) alliance. A representative from RUMA also recently attended a meeting of the Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination (DARC) group to discuss this issue. Further such meetings are planned.
Another part of the Government's efforts to help farmers prepare for the ban was to fund a research and development project to look at the potential effects of the withdrawal of antimicrobial growth promoters on the pig industry. The results have shown ways farmers can adapt their herd management to cope with the ban on antimicrobial growth promoters without increasing the risk of disease and therefore the need to treat with therapeutic antimicrobials. Two meetings have been held with pig farmers to inform them of the results. Details of the project can be found at www.vmd.defra.gov.uk.
Japanese Knotweed
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for a coordinated and strategic approach to the problem of Japanese knotweed. [167851]
Mr. Bradshaw: I am aware of the problems caused by the spread of the introduced non-native plant, Japanese knotweed. Current legislative controls exist under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) to prevent its deliberate planting or growing in the wild. The Department is also collaborating with a consortium led by Cornwall County Council to undertake a four-year project researching the natural control of Japanese knotweed. The study began last year and will undertake the necessary research to establish whether natural control is a feasible method for the long-term, sustainable management of Japanese knotweed in the UK.
Recognising the importance of a strategic approach for non-native species policy, the Department recently consulted on the development of a strategy, and officials are currently analysing the responses. It is essential that limited resources are targeted to the most problematic species, and the outcome of the consultation will assist my Department and the Devolved Administrations in developing a strategy that will help prioritise action.
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The hon. Member may be interested to learn that in the meantime, my Department has commissioned research to develop a standardised risk assessment system enabling species to be routinely assessed. Following the development and introduction of risk assessment procedures, the aim would be to identify those species constituting the highest risk(s). The risk assessment procedure may also be of use in identifying those established invasive non-native species where action may be appropriate.
Litter (Fines)
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to allow local councils to keep income from on the spot fines for dropping litter. [169982]
Alun Michael: Section 119 of the Local Government Act 2003, which allows local authorities to keep receipts from litter fixed penalty notices, came into force on 18 November 2003.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs why English Nature did not inform the hon. Member for Totnes of its wish to extend, under section 28C of the Wildlife Countryside Act 1981, the site boundaries of Slapton Ley site of Special Scientific Interest. [167491]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 26 April 2004]: Notification of the boundary extension and addition of interest features, to Slapton Ley Site of Special Scientific Interest was made on 11 February 2004 and in accordance with the requirements specified in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. Also according to those requirements, a public notice appeared in the Western Morning News on 17 February 2004. The consultation period on this notification ends on the 11 June 2004. English Nature must decide whether to confirm the notification within nine months. Any unresolved objections will be considered by English Nature's Council at its meeting in September 2004.
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many changes to the geographical boundaries of sites of Special Scientific Interest have been made in each of the last three years; and which have (a) increased and (b) decreased in area. [167492]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 26 April 2004]: In the last three years there have been 15 geographical changes to SSSIs boundaries made under section 28B and section 28C of the Wildlife And Countryside Act 1981, as amended. Those that have had their areas increased are shown in the list. None of the changes resulted in decreases to a SSSI area.
Porlock Ridge and Saltmarsh
River Dee
Thatcham Reed Beds
Dabble Bank
Ravenhead Brickworks
Total: 5
Compton Chine to Steephill Cove
Purfleet Chalk Pit
Crookhill Brick Pit 1
Ebernoe Common 1
Eversden and Wimpole Woods
Stour Estuary
Orwell Estuary
Total: 7
Humber Estuary 1
Orton Pit 1
Slapton Ley1
Total: 3
1 Changes to these SSSIs have been notified but not yet confirmed, as the nine month period for doing so is on-going.
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes have been proposed by English Nature to the rules and regulations affecting sites of Special Scientific Interest; and whether the changes as proposed in relation to the Slapton Ley site are part of a national change. [167493]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 26 April 2004]: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are notified and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000. No changes to this regime have been proposed by English Nature. Under this regime, English Nature has a duty to notify land as a SSSI, and may amend existing SSSIs, where it is of the opinion that land is of special interest by reason of the flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features. The changes at Slapton Ley SSSI have been notified under section 28C of the WCA 1981.
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sites of special scientific interest there are, broken down by region; and if she will list the additional sites declared in each of the last three years. [167494]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 26 April 2004]: There are a total of 4,111 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) in England. Some SSSIs cross regional boundaries, and will therefore have been double counted in the table below.
| Government region | Number of SSSIs |
|---|---|
| Eastern | 569 |
| East Midlands | 391 |
| London | 34 |
| North East | 256 |
| North West | 442 |
| South East | 703 |
| South West | 978 |
| West Midlands | 446 |
| Yorks | 375 |
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19 new SSSIs have been confirmed in the last three years. They are:
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| 2001–2002 | 2002–2003 | 2003–2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Birklands West and Ollerton Corner | Chapel Point to Walla Bank | Slade Brook |
| Roecliffe Manor Lawns | Caen Valley Bats | |
| Mattishall Moor | Withcall and South Willingham Tunnels | |
| Lower Coombe and Ferne Brook Meadow | Normanby Meadows | |
| Barn Elms Wetland Centre | Stiffkey Valley | |
| Long Lye Meadows | Briddlesford Copses | |
| Cranmore Common | Holehaven Creek | |
| Sutton and Lound Gravel Pits | Harries Ground, Rodbourne | |
| Beck Dale Meadows | Mottisfont Bats | |
| Total: 9 | Total: 9 | Total: 1 |
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons were for the Standard Types of Operation 19 and 21, in Annex 3 of English Nature's notification under section 28C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 issued on 11 February 2004 relating to Slapton Ley Site of Special Scientific Interest. [167868]
Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 26 April 2004]: English Nature is required under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, to notify any operations which appear to it to be likely to damage the special interest of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). English Nature must consent before any such operations are carried out. I understand from English Nature that Operation 19 and Operation 21 were specified as likely to damage the special interest of Slapton Ley SSSI when the site was re-notified in 1984. They remain applicable to Slapton Ley SSSI because it is considered that such operations would have the potential to cause damage to the site. The legislation requires English Nature to notify any such operations anew when exercising its powers under section 28C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended.
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