Panel to investigate crab and lobster deaths on north-east coast of England

Independent inquiry to look at possible role of freeport dredging and chemical pollutant in die-offs

The UK government is to set up an independent expert panel to investigate the cause of the mass die-offs of crabs and lobsters on the north-east coast of England, it has announced.

The panel will consider the impact of dredging around a freeport development in Teesside and the presence of pyridine, a chemical pollutant, among other potential causes, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.