Environment Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 20 December 2012.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward measures to control and eradicate the invasive Signal crayfish from waters in England and Wales.
DEFRA has commissioned research into the management of the species to reduce the scale of the population and mitigate their impacts at the local scale. Until effective management tools become available, efforts are mainly focused on limiting the spread of the species to new habitats and on the conservation of native species, such as by the establishment of refuge sites for white clawed crayfish. DEFRA is also working with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to develop an action plan to better co-ordinate efforts to manage non-native crayfish and their impacts. Additionally, DEFRA has launched a campaign called "Check, Clean, Dry" to raise awareness of the risks from aquatic invasive non-native species, such as non-native crayfish, and to promote simple steps that water-users can take to reduce the accidental spread of invasive species through their activities. Currently, however, there are no known methods available to eradicate signal crayfish populations.
Yes7 people think so
No7 people think not
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