Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 7 December 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 December 2010. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Monday, 13 December 2010 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Otters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors her Department has identified for the increase in the number of otters in the UK in the last five years; and whether her Department has provided incentives to encourage an increase in the otter population.

Answer: The fifth otter survey published by the Environment Agency in October suggests that the welcome recovery in otter numbers is due to a combination of reduction in levels of toxic pesticides and the general improvements in water quality and consequent increase in fish stocks.DEFRA has supported the Biodiversity Action Plan for otters which includes working with the Environment Agency and Natural England towards meeting water quality objectives on all rivers across England, so they can support healthy fish stocks and improve riparian habitat management. Such improvements will help biodiversity as a whole, improving the quality of habitat for many species, including the otter. In addition Natural England funds work under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme which improves habitats for otters through general habitat management works and reducing pollution risks.

Secondary information