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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to investigate the Environment Agency with reference to (a) phosphate levels in the River Wye catchment and (b) that Agency's supervision of Welsh Water on that matter.

Defra has no plans to investigate the Environment Agency with reference to phosphate levels in the River Wye catchment.

The Environment Agency regulates the water industry and is working with Welsh Water to reduce phosphate levels in the catchment through existing and future investment plans. The Environment Agency and Natural England have a Nutrient Management Plan in place for the River Wye Special Area of Conservation.

The Environment Agency is part a wide group of organisations (including Natural Resources Wales, water companies and farming support organisations) that are working to address the causes and impacts of high phosphate levels in the Wye Catchment. This is through a combination of advice and guidance, regulation and the delivery of projects to reduce phosphate inputs.