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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the UK Government is taking to reduce the environmental impact of underwater munitions disposal.

Defra recognises the significant impact underwater noise from unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance by detonation can have on vulnerable marine species. Therefore, Defra’s dedicated underwater noise team, as part of the Offshore Wind Enabling Actions Programme, is continuing to focus on reducing, monitoring and managing underwater noise to minimise harm to marine life.

In addition, the Government is working closely with scientists, industry, and regulators to investigate and collect the necessary evidence on the safety and efficacy of these alternative methods of UXO clearance in the marine environment. The very first at sea trails of alternative clearance methods are planned to begin in October. Further to this, Defra and BEIS officials are working together to expedite planning and creation of additional trials of historic UXO clearance using alternative methods in the North Sea

Once sufficient evidence is available, and on the advice of the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (as the regulatory authority) will be able to make the strongest licensing decisions around the use of such low order techniques in England.

At present, UXO removal must be individually assessed by the MMO in accordance with the applicable marine licence, marine protected species licence and habitats regulation requirements and all forms of potential mitigation considered. For example, marine mammal specialists are deployed to ensure there are no marine mammals in the vicinity.