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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the Environment Agency ability to carry out all its statutory duties in relation to fisheries; and if he will make a statement.

The EA continues to fulfil its statutory duties in relation to fisheries.

Freshwater fisheries regulation is a core role and unique activity that only the EA can fulfil. The EA makes resources available to deliver current regulations, including the rod and net licensing system; scheduled reviews of Net Limitation Orders; reviewing and consolidating fishery byelaws; making new byelaws where this is necessary to protect stocks; and determining fishery management permit applications.