asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now received a report on the cause of the deaths of 14 herons on the River Avon near Evesham; and whether he is taking any action in relation to the incident.

Recent reports of the death of 14 herons along the River Avon near Evesham, are at present being investigated by MAFF in consultation with ITENCC, RSPB and the Severn Trent water authority. It is not yet possible to draw any firm conclusions about the likely causes of death until MAFF laboratory studies and the present Severn Trent water authority water sampling programme have been completed.