Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 February 2012. It was answered by Lord Benyon (Conservative) on Monday, 20 February 2012 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Crayfish

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to protect waterways from the American signal crayfish.

Answer: Currently there are no effective methods available for reducing the scale of the signal crayfish population in England, and DEFRA has commissioned research to identify any feasible techniques. Until effective management tools become available, efforts are mainly focussed on limiting the spread of the species to new habitats and on the conservation of native species, such as by the establishment of refuge sites for white clawed crayfish. DEFRA is also working with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to develop an action plan to better coordinate efforts to manage non-native crayfish and their impacts.Furthermore, DEFRA has launched a campaign called "Check, clean, dry" to raise awareness of the risks from aquatic invasive non-native species, such as non-native crayfish, and to promote simple steps that water-users can take to reduce the accidental spread of invasive species through their activities.

Secondary information