Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are (1) in place, and (2) planned, for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to determine whether obligations under the International Maritime Organisation’s 2017 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species are being met by visiting ships.

The UK is yet to transpose the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments. In the interim, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has issued guidance to support the implementation of the requirements.

The Government is committed to implementing the Convention domestically and officials are currently working to develop appropriate legislation. The UK implementation will include specific requirements for inspection and enforcement through Port State Control, for vessels visiting UK ports.