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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether a peer review was undertaken of his Department’s conclusion that an algae bloom was probably to blame for the die off of sea creatures off the North East coast over the last year.

Defra group, including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Environment Agency, carried out a thorough investigation seeking causes of the mass mortality incident that occurred towards the end of 2021. A summary of this investigation was published in May. As the May publication was an investigation summary rather than a technical report, we did not seek a peer review, in line with normal practice. The algal bloom conclusions were based on the best available evidence in the time allowed. Priority was given to information from peer-reviewed literature, standardised research techniques and accredited testing methodology.

It is intended that the ongoing Cefas research and development will undergo peer review ahead of publication next year, due to generating primary evidence. All data relating to the conclusions of the initial investigation are due to be published in the coming weeks. This will inform the on-going collaboration between HM Government scientists and external researchers.