Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 15 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 October 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 October 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, what regulatory impact assessment has been carried out to establish the likely costs to (a) water companies, (b) other companies, (c) local authorities and (d) the Environment Agency arising from the implementation of the EU Shellfish Directive. - Includes figures.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulatory impact assessment has been carried out to establish the likely costs to (a) water companies, (b) other companies, (c) local authorities and (d) the Environment Agency arising from the implementation of the EU Shellfish Directive. [133110] Mr. Morley: A Regulatory Impact Assessment was prepared for the major review of designated waters under the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC) announced in 1999. It showed (a) costs to water companies in England estimated at £81 million, (b) no costs identified at the time to other companies and (c) no costs to local authorities. Costs to the Environment Agency are taken into account in their grant received from Defra and are in the region of £320,000 for 2003-04. Costs to water companies of possible further measures are being assessed as part of the current periodic review of water prices.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 133110; 412 c239W;412 c247W
Session: 2002-03
EC documents: Dir79/923/EEC
Subjects: Companies Costs EU law Environment Agency Local government Pollution Pollution control Water Shellfish Water companies Impact assessments
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk