The River Thames and associated waterways form Britain’s largest estuary and presents especial challenges in environmental health control.  It is used on the disposal point at the same time supports substantial commercial fisheries.  It is the major port of the UK handling imports in 2002 of over 55 million tonnes whilst providing a leisure resource to many of the six million inhabitants that live in its catchment.\ud
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These potentially conflicting uses have considerable potential negative effects upon both the food chain and human health (Department of Health 1994).\ud
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Current controls on this extremely complex environment are exercised by a variety of Government and non-Governmental agencies.  These organisations have many overlapping responsibilities and there are areas of duplication and omission which need to be addressed.\ud
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The study undertaken using modified soft systems methodology and a structured interview process examines all these organisations in depth and proposes a single model agency. \ud
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This proposed agency would be stakeholder accountable, technically proficient, make better use of resources, and be a more effective lobbyist.  It would also have the capability to effect the necessary improvements identified in this study