Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 18 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 July 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sakhalin Island (Pipelines)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures his Department has taken to ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to prevent a net loss of salmon spawning area on Sakhalin Island as a result of construction activities by the Sakhalin II consortium; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department has gathered information to ensure there are safeguards in place to prevent a net loss of salmon spawning area on Sakhalin Island. 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) and 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 the relevant departments such as ECGD, who, together with other agencies such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), have commissioned independent monitoring of the project.

Secondary information