To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on dealing with coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement. (141350)

The Department meets regularly with European Union and other European counterparts at official level to exchange ideas on dealing with coastal erosion. Forums include, for example, the informal North Sea Coastal Managers Group. There have not been any recent official discussions at ministerial level, however I have discussed flood and coastal erosion issues informally with EU counterparts.