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1146605

registered interest
date	26/09/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Seas and Oceans: Climate Change
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the findings in the IPCC’s Special Report entitled the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	291458
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2019 answer text <p>We welcome the IPCC Special Report, which provides the best available science on the wide range of impacts of climate change on the ocean and the cryosphere and potential measures for building resilience to those impacts. Climate change has already caused significant impacts on the ocean and cryosphere, including warming, acidification and deoxygenation of the ocean, melting of glaciers, ice sheets and permafrost, and sea level rise, with detrimental consequences for ecosystems and people.</p><p>As this report and the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5◦C find, the severity of future impacts depends heavily on the levels of future greenhouse gas emissions. Higher emissions will result in more severe impacts, which is why the UK government set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from across the UK economy by 2050.</p><p>To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees we should explore every available avenue. In the marine environment, Nature Based Solutions such as the conservation and restoration of coastal habitats, protection of coral reefs and designation of Marine Protected Areas can provide climate mitigation as well as climate adaptation and resilience benefits for biodiversity, fish nursery habitats, storm protection and contributions to coastal communities. To that end, the UK is encouraging countries to join the Global Ocean Alliance - our call to protect at least 30% of the global ocean within Marine Protected Areas by 2030.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 01/10/2019 13:37:38 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1146606

registered interest
date	26/09/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Flood Control
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to improve flood defences in (a) rural, (b) coastal and (c) urban areas in response to rising sea levels.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	291459
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2019 answer text <p>Government is investing £2.6 billion from 2015-2021 to better protect the country from flooding and this will attract more than £600 million of additional investment. This is funding over 1,000 flood defence schemes, which will better protect 300,000 homes by 2021. The Environment Agency regularly reviews the programme: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/programme-of-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-schemes" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/programme-of-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-schemes</a></p><p> </p><p>On September 10, the Government announced a £62 million boost for thirteen flooding defence schemes across the country, and we are also making up to £2 million available to support farmers North Yorkshire and Wainfleet, with uninsurable damages resulting from the summer flooding. The Farm Recovery Fund was opened on Friday 20 September and farmers can apply for grants between £500 and £25,000 to cover a number of repair costs.</p><p> </p><p>By the end of 2019 the Government will set out its policies to better prepare the country for flooding and coastal erosion in a Government policy statement on flooding and coastal erosion. The Government will also set out plans for broader infrastructure investment through the publication of a National Infrastructure Strategy later in the autumn. Informed by this Government policy, the Environment Agency will update its national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management. These documents will ensure the country is on the right footing to better manage and adapt to the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. Improving our resilience to these risks will have benefits for our economy, environment, communities and our wellbeing.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 01/10/2019 15:30:28 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1110579

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Beverage Containers: Waste
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	242901
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>Our Resources and Waste Strategy, published 18 December 2018, sets out how we will eliminate all avoidable plastic waste.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is currently consulting on proposals to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The aims of a DRS are to reduce the amount of littering in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, boost recycling levels for relevant material, and promote recycling through clear labelling and consumer messaging. HDPE and PTE plastic bottles are included in the proposals.</p><p> </p><p>National Refill Day was launched in September 2018 to raise awareness for reusable plastic bottles and encourage the public to reduce plastic waste. We will continue to support initiatives from business and civil society where doing so drives further improvement and explore other avenues for progress in consultation with stakeholders.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/04/2019 09:22:42 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1110580

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Plastics: Rivers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to reduce plastic pollution in rivers and streams.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	242902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government published the Resources and Waste strategy in December last year, setting out our plans to reduce plastic pollution with a target to eliminate all avoidable waste throughout the life of the 25 Year Environment Plan. Estimates show that the majority of aquatic litter originates from land based sources therefore our main approach to stemming the flow is by taking action on land.</p><p> </p><p>We have already consulted on banning plastic straws, stirrers, cotton buds and extending the carrier bag charge. Since the introduction of the charge in 2015, 15.6 billion fewer bags have been handed out to shoppers by the seven main retailers. We are currently consulting on a number of key policy measures to significantly change the way that we manage our waste. These include: reforming existing packaging waste regulations; exploring the introduction of a deposit return scheme for drinks containers; and increasing consistency in the recycling system; with a parallel consultation on the ‘Plastic Packaging Tax’ that the Chancellor announced in the Budget last year. Legislative proposals will be developed taking account of the consultation responses.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is already making great strides to tackle the plastic that blights our streets, rivers and oceans. Our world-leading ban on microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics and personal care products will help stop potentially billions of tiny pieces of plastic from entering the aquatic environment every year. We have also announced a £200,000 research project which will focus on microplastics derived from tyres and clothing. This will report shortly, and the evidence will help us develop policies to tackle the problem effectively.</p><p> </p><p>Through its seven-point plan on plastics, the Environment Agency (EA) is exploring additional ways in which regulatory and voluntary initiatives could reduce plastics entering both the marine, and freshwater environments. The EA are working closely with the water industry and leading academics to investigate the types and quantities of microplastics entering the environment to identify where best to focus our efforts.</p><p> </p><p>Wastewater treatment works are important pathways for contaminants, including microplastics, to enter the wider aquatic environment. Over £9 billion has been invested in England and Wales between 1990 and 2010 to improve sewage treatment works and collecting systems to limit polluting events, and £2 billion more is planned by 2020.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/04/2019 10:57:25 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1110581

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Plastics: Waste
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his timescale is for responding to his Department's consultation on Single use plastic: banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	242903
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>Policy officials are currently developing proposals regarding the ban on the sale and/or distribution of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic stemmed-cotton buds. The analysis, responses and Government response will be published shortly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/04/2019 10:59:09 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1110227

registered interest
date	08/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on food supplies of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and what plans his Department has to (a) maintain food supply and (b) protect against increases in food prices.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	242204
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2019 answer text <p>The UK has a high degree of food security, built on access to a range of sources including strong domestic production and imports from other countries. We have a highly resilient food supply chain and consumers in the UK have access to a range of sources of food. This will continue to be the case when we leave the EU, with or without a deal.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The food industry is experienced in dealing with scenarios that can affect food supply, from adverse weather damaging crops in other countries to transport issues abroad. We are meeting weekly with industry and retailers to make sure we are prepared for all scenarios as we leave the EU.</p><p> </p><p>On food prices, we have observed that the most important drivers of change in the cost of food are global food commodity prices, exchange rates and oil prices. This will continue to be the case once the UK has left the EU; the UK Government has no direct control of these factors. The UK Government does not have any role in setting food prices nor does it comment on the pricing policies of the food industry. We are working closely with industry to promote transparency for consumers and internationally to promote open global markets.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 11/04/2019 12:30:19 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1109791

registered interest
date	04/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Fracking
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to ensure that the Government’s fracking proposals do not disrupt local wildlife and biodiversity.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	241060
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text <p>Statutory consultees including Natural England (NE) and the Environment Agency (EA) are consulted by the relevant Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) when a planning application for hydraulic fracturing development is received. NE is consulted if the proposed development is likely to affect a protected site (Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar Wetland, or a potential SPA, possible SAC or a proposed Ramsar Wetland). NE has published ‘Impact Risk Zones’ which can be used to check if the planning proposal relates to land on or near a protected site. In addition MPAs will assess impacts on locally protected sites.</p><p> </p><p>MPAs use NE’s standing advice for protected species when reviewing planning applications and will contact NE if the matter is not covered by the advice. NE may need to issue European Protected Species Licences in certain circumstances. Developers are also encouraged to contact NE at pre-application stages to help ensure that their applications fully take account of potential impacts and that measures are put in place to avoid or mitigate those impacts as well as maximising opportunities for biodiversity.</p><p> </p><p>In applying to the EA for environmental permits, operators are also required to consider the effect that their activity may have on protected sites, habitats and species. Where any sites of heritage and nature conservation, or protected species and habitats are identified, they may need to consult other bodies such as NE and can enforce permit conditions to protect habitats.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 09/04/2019 14:49:09 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1109394

registered interest
date	03/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Air Pollution: Schools
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on levels of air pollution of road closures near schools.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	240599
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities undertake local monitoring of air pollution.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 08/04/2019 13:10:12 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1109395

registered interest
date	03/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Air Pollution: Nurseries and Schools
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to (a) limit vehicle emissions and (b) reduce the levels of toxic air-borne particulates near schools and nurseries.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	240600
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government is fully committed to tackling air pollution. We have put in place a £3.5 billion plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions, and have also published our new world leading Clean Air Strategy which the World Health Organization has praised as “an example for the rest of the world to follow”.</p><p> </p><ol><li>Through the 2017 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) plan, we are working with a number of local authorities to introduce measures which will reduce exposure to vehicle emissions in order to achieve compliance with legal NO2 limits in the shortest time possible. The plan sets out that we have committed £3.5 billion to support air quality and cleaner transport. This includes over £67 million invested since 2013 in retrofitting vehicles (mainly buses) with pollution reducing technology and help to reduce vehicle emissions. We have pledged to end the sale of new conventional diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040 – the Road to Zero strategy published by the Department for Transport last year sets out new measures to help us achieve our 2040 mission. We have also been closely involved in the development of new European vehicle emission tests and encourage their early adoption.</li></ol><p> </p><ol><li>The Government provides support for local authorities to tackle locally identified air pollution issues as they are best placed to target action to improve air quality in their area, which includes around schools and nurseries.</li></ol><p> </p><p>Local authorities have a duty to monitor and assess air quality and to take action to reduce pollution where these breach statutory limits. They already have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws in problem areas like outside schools.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include local action targeting schools and nurseries. Defra has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 08/04/2019 15:01:13 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1109028

registered interest
date	02/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Convention on Biological Diversity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to ensure the UK meets its targets under the Global Convention on Biological Diversity; and what assessment his has Department has made of the UK's progress towards meeting those targets.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	240045
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government’s report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on progress with current targets and commitments was published in March. It can be viewed at: <a href="http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7731" target="_blank">http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7731</a></p><p> </p><p>Of the 19 targets assessed, 5 were on track and 14 showed progress though at an insufficient rate. The targets are multi-faceted and global in scope. As such not all targets can be achieved by individual countries alone; they require collective action. Target 10, for example, requires countries to minimize anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems. The UK is making progress with protecting coral reefs and restoring other vulnerable ecosystems such as peatland, but they remain vulnerable to climate change. The real value of the targets is in driving positive change across the world and the report sets out clear areas of progress in the UK on which we are determined to build.</p><p> </p><p>Domestic biodiversity policy is a devolved matter and the information provided relates to England only, except in relation to our plans internationally.</p><p> </p><p>On land, over 93% of our protected sites, covering over 1 million hectares, are now in good condition or have management in place to restore their condition. Over the last 2 years, we have already introduced funding for peatland ecosystem restoration and woodland expansion as a contribution to climate change mitigation. At sea, we are putting management measures in place to protect existing MPAs and expanding our network of sites. We have consulted on a third tranche of 41 Marine Conservation Zones. Sites to be designated will be in place by 7 June. Our agencies and non-Departmental bodies are working on species recovery projects with landowning and conservation partners, for example on freshwater pearl mussel, short-haired bumblebee and stone curlew.</p><p> </p><p>The ongoing declines in nature are a global problem that need a global solution. That is why the UK is committed to playing a leading role in developing a global post-2020 framework under the CBD that is ambitious and transformational. Our Darwin Initiative supports global action by providing grants to protect biodiversity and the natural environment, with £10.6 million awarded in 2018. The UK Government has committed to protecting the ocean, and has called for at least 30 per cent of the ocean to be in MPAs by 2030.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong><br> </strong></p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 08/04/2019 15:00:41 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes