Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Friday, 16 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 June 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Thursday, 22 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sakhalin II Project

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information he has gathered on the effect of the Sakhalin II project on salmon spawning habitat; and what action he is taking to ensure that there is no loss of such habitat as a result of the project.

Answer: [holding answer 21 June 2006]: The information gathered on the effect of the Sakhalin II project on salmon spawning habitats includes:"Official and ministerial meetings with Shell;""Information included in Sakhalin Energy's River Crossing Strategy;""Monitoring information published by Sakhalin Energy on its website;""Information gathered during site visits carried out by Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), other potential lenders and their independent consultants."Sakhalin Energy has committed itself to ensuring no net loss of habitat.DEFRA will be monitoring performance through its close working relationships with relevant departments such as ECGD, who, together with other agencies such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, have commissioned independent monitoring of the project.

Secondary information