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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to align the assessment of the levels of contaminants that can be disposed of at sea with the best practices of other countries.

We do not have any plans to change the formal Action Levels for contaminants at this time. However, when assessing levels of contaminants that can be disposed of at sea, Defra bodies follow international OSPAR guidelines to protect the environment. Cefas use the best available evidence when providing advice on dredged contaminants, which may draw on best practice from other countries. The MMO will consider this advice when determining a dredging licence application. We will continue to work with stakeholders to improve our evidence base on the environmental and economic impacts of Action Levels, and to explore options to manage any impacts.