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Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the level of algal blooms in Liverpool Bay; what the locations are of algae blooms in United Kingdom waters, broken down by order of severity; if her Department will take steps to treat non-toxic algal blooms accumulated on the North Wales coast.
Answer

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the level of algal blooms in Liverpool Bay; [140265] (2) what the locations are of algae blooms in United Kingdom waters, broken down by order of severity; [140365] (3) if her Department will take steps to treat non-toxic algal blooms accumulated on the North Wales coast. [140402] Mr. Morley: Algal blooms are a naturally occurring phenomenon. Given their intensity will vary at different times of the year eg spring compared to summer, between years, and their growth is dependent on a range factors, it is not possible to produce an accurate map identifying the location and severity of algae blooms in UK waters. Through implementation of the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment and Nitrates Directives we are taking action eg provision of more stringent treatment at relevant sewage treatment works, to protect the environment and water quality from undesirable disturbances caused, or likely to be caused, by the accelerated growth of algae in nutrient enriched waters. This complicated phenomenon is known as eutrophication. In England and Wales the Environment Agency undertake reviews of water bodies eg rivers, estuaries, coastal, every four years to assess whether the water body meets the criteria in the Directives for identification as a eutrophic water. The next review is to completed in 2005. At present we do not consider Liverpool Bay (which includes the waters along the North Wales coast) meets the criteria for identification as a eutrophic water. Considerable effort is currently being directed towards evaluating the ecological status of the north east Irish sea including Liverpool Bay and the north Wales Coast. Results from this work is expected to enable better assessments of the levels of algae in Liverpool Bay.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
413 c1231-2W;413 c1227-8W; 140265;140365;140402
Session
2002-03
Subjects
Coastal areas Pollution Pollution control Water Wales North Wales Algae Irish Sea Eutrophication
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk