Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 January 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 January 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the ploughing of the intertidal mudflats at Strangford Lough over the Christmas and New Year period; and what assessment he has made of the impact of that activity on the Loch's ecosystem.

Answer: Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the ploughing of the intertidal mudflats at Strangford Lough over the Christmas and new year period; and what assessment he has made of the impact of that activity on the Lough's ecosystem. [209208] Angela Smith: On Tuesday 28 December 2004 and Monday 3 January 2005, several hectares of the intertidal mudflats at Strangford Lough were ploughed by agricultural tractors. The Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment was informed of the damage on Monday 3 January 2005 and the damage was subsequently, and continues to be, investigated by its staff. The ploughing activity and the resulting damage covered an extensive area of the shore. Furrows which had obviously been washed by several tides and two areas of completely fresh ploughing, within the zone in which eel grass (Zostera) grows, were clearly visible. Consequently the Department commissioned an urgent scientific assessment of the damage. This will assist the Department in deciding what further action needs to be taken including whether the matter should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Secondary information