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Litter: Beaches

Volume 486: debated on Thursday 15 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of changes in the levels of beach litter since 2004; and if he will make a statement. (240922)

DEFRA has made no direct assessment of changes in the levels of litter on beaches. However, DEFRA does provide grant funding support through ENCAMS (also known as Keep Britain Tidy) to the Blue Flag and Quality Coast Award schemes designed to drive up the quality of amenity beach areas. Furthermore, DEFRA also funds ENCAMS to undertake the Local Environmental Quality Survey of England which has monitored levels of local environmental quality across England since 2001.

Under section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils have a duty to keep their relevant land, including beaches above the high water mark, clear of litter and refuse. The statutory Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse recommends those responsible for beaches regularly monitor them and develop an appropriate cleansing regime.