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Written question asked by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 25 February 2022 (named day). It was answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury (Conservative) on Friday, 25 February 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Marine Environment: North East

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what remedial steps his Department has taken on the North Sea coast since the algal bloom affecting crabs, shellfish, and pet dogs in the North East in 2021.

Answer

Defra in partnership with Cefas and the Environment Agency continue to investigate the cause of the incident, screening over 1,000 potential chemical contaminants, sampling water, sediments and crab tissue. Currently, lines of evidence point to a harmful algal bloom.

We continue to work closely with those in the affected area, monitoring the current situation and keeping them up to date with the findings of the investigation, including the results of ongoing testing.

We are aware that there has been an increase in reports of vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs in the Northeast, and across England. The University of Liverpool Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) has been investigating and found no link to the affected dogs and the incident. While it cannot definitively point to a common cause, SAVSNET does suggest this is a transmissible infection rather than contact with the beach area or sea water.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
127313
Session
2021-22
Related items
Marine Environment: North East
Tuesday, 21 June 2022
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Dogs Shellfish North East Algae North Sea Marine environment
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk