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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to reduce marine pollution caused by shipping in UK waters.

The UK Marine Strategy sets out a comprehensive range of measures being taken by the Government to reduce marine pollution. This includes our ongoing support for the work of the International Maritime Organization, and the implementation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

This Convention addresses a range of pollutants from shipping including the discharge of oil, chemicals and ship generated waste, as well as covering issues such as air pollution and energy efficiency.

Efforts to address marine pollution from ships are led by the Department for Transport in close cooperation with Defra.