Written question asked by Paul Beresford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004 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, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2004, 425 c695-6W, on cormorants, what action is being taken through the European Union to tackle cormorant numbers at a European level. - (Holding answer 1 November 2004).

Answer: Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 October, Official Report, columns 695-96W, on cormorants, what action is being taken through the European Union to tackle cormorant numbers at a European level. [194811] Mr. Bradshaw :[holding answer 1 November 2004]: At the European level the REDCAFE group (Reducing the conflict between cormorants and fisheries on a Pan- European scale) was set up in 2001, to synthesise current cormorant and fisheries information and identify and evaluate methods of reducing Europe-wide conflict between conservationists and fishery interests. Initial conclusions emphasise site-specific management as the key. Further work has been agreed, on an inter- disciplinary approach taking account of social and economic interests. Discussions at ORNIS (the EC Committee covering the Birds Directive), also covered the Development of a Framework for Biodiversity Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The data from REDCAFE will be input into this process, along with other European initiatives such as the IMEW (Integrated Management of European Wetlands). The RAP aims to fully quantify the problems, develop a solution and provide synthesis and dissemination of the results. This process will provide a participatory decision strategy. The approach is being supported with EU research funding, and member states are also encouraged to participate.

Secondary information