Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to eradicate quagga mussels in the Colne Valley.

The likelihood of the arrival of the quagga mussel had been identified by horizon scanning: the Environment Agency discovered its presence during routine monitoring. We are currently exploring options while undertaking further monitoring work to establish its distribution. A local Environment Agency Task Group and a National Freshwater Task Group (with representation from Defra and other GB Administrations) has been set-up to agree and coordinate action. We are working with water companies and continuing to promote positive biosecurity practices amongst recreational water users by asking them to apply the “Check, Clean, Dry” process launched by Defra in 2011, to prevent the entry or slow the spread of aquatic invasive species.