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1360064

registered interest
date	15/10/2021
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	Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease 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 assessment he has made for the implications of his policies on badger culling of its review of the government’s 25 Year Bovine TB Strategy.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	56603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2021 answer text <p>Intensive badger culls were only ever envisaged as a phase of the TB eradication strategy. As set out in the Government response to Professor Sir Charles Godfray’s review of the strategy[1] [2], the next phase of the strategy focuses on developing a deployable cattle vaccine, wider rollout of badger vaccination and improvements to TB testing. The Government will retain the ability to introduce culling where local epidemiological evidence points to an ongoing role of badgers in the disease.</p><p> </p><p>Badger culling will not be halted immediately – as set out in the Government’s response to the January 2021 consultation[3], no new intensive cull licences will be issued after 2022 and supplementary badger culling will end in 2025.</p><p> </p><p>Routine and targeted TB testing of cattle herds, movement restrictions on infected herds, and rapid detection and removal of cattle testing positive, remain the foundations of the Government’s strategy, supported by statutory pre- and post-movement testing of cattle and slaughterhouse surveillance.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our move towards wider badger vaccination, we are introducing several schemes and initiatives. Training courses have been streamlined to make these less time-consuming, more accessible and affordable. A new 'Train the Trainer' (TtT) scheme, which allows experienced cage-trappers and lay vaccinators to qualify as trainers and form their own local training hubs, will enable more people to be trained as vaccinators than ever before. In East Sussex, we are funding a five-year vaccination scheme, where deployment of large-scale vaccination delivered by the local farming community commenced in August. The scheme will help refine delivery models and approaches, ensuring future badger vaccination is deployable at scale.</p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to bolster government capability to deploy badger vaccination in areas where intensive culling has ended, building on those gains achieved through culling to create resilience to future infection. As well as financially supporting vaccination in the edge area through the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme (BEVS), we are exploring new ways and opportunities to incentivise more targeted approaches to vaccinate badgers to deliver greater disease control benefits. We are also reviewing the licensing system, taking steps to make it more straightforward and less administratively burdensome for those who are suitably trained to vaccinate badgers.</p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-strategy-for-achieving-bovine-tuberculosis-free-status-for-england-2018-review" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-strategy-for-achieving-bovine-tuberculosis-free-status-for-england-2018-review</a></p><p>[2] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-strategy-for-achieving-bovine-tuberculosis-free-status-for-england-2018-review-government-response" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-strategy-for-achieving-bovine-tuberculosis-free-status-for-england-2018-review-government-response</a></p><p>[3] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bovine-tuberculosis-proposals-to-help-eradicate-disease-in-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bovine-tuberculosis-proposals-to-help-eradicate-disease-in-england</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/10/2021 10:14:16 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1338092

registered interest
date	18/06/2021
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	Animal Experiments
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 he has made of whether the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare will reduce the number of animals used in laboratories.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	18591
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2021 answer text <p>The Action Plan for Animal Welfare states that we will continue to commit to maintaining high standards of protection where procedures are undertaken on live animals for scientific or educational purposes.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/06/2021 14:41:00 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1299738

registered interest
date	04/03/2021
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	Dogs: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is permitted under covid-19 restrictions to travel for the purpose of animal welfare to a dog behaviorist.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	163296
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>England is still in a national lockdown. The Government has issued <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home" target="_blank">guidance</a> which states clearly that you must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. According to this guidance, you can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also issued <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals" target="_blank">advice</a> for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Protecting the welfare of animals remains a priority for Defra throughout the coronavirus pandemic. I recognise that access to professional services such as dog training and behaviourists may be important for animal welfare purposes.</p><p> </p><p>The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) has issued further advice to pet-related businesses (including dog trainers and behaviourists) on how they can deliver their services safely under the restrictions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus. See: <a href="https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p> </p><p>On 22 February, the Government published ‘<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/963491/COVID-19_Response_-_Spring_2021.pdf" target="_blank">COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021</a>’ setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England. This a step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England cautiously. Guidance on reopening businesses and venues is available here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-businesses-and-venues-in-england/reopening-businesses-and-venues%20" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-businesses-and-venues-in-england/reopening-businesses-and-venues </a></p><p> </p><p>Defra cannot advise individuals on what specific activities constitute a reasonable excuse given the individual’s circumstances and those applying to their dog. To determine this, individuals should consult the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 and associated guidance. An example of a reasonable excuse toleave your home is to attend to the care and exercise of an animal. However, this should be done locally wherever possible. This means avoiding travel outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live and reducing the number of journeys you make overall.</p><p> </p><p>My department will continue to work closely with sector groups, such as the CFSG, to update advice to pet owners and pet service-based businesses at each step of the roadmap.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/03/2021 12:42:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1299300

registered interest
date	03/03/2021
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	Dry Stone Walls
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 he has made of using the Environmental Land Management Scheme to promote the benefits of dry stone walls.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	162688
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>We are working with stakeholders and end users to determine the specific land management actions that will be paid for under our new schemes, that will pay farmers to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions. We will set out more details on this later this year. The Agricultural Transition Plan set out examples of the types of actions that we envisage paying for under the schemes, including boundary management.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 08/03/2021 15:32:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1282897

registered interest
date	02/02/2021
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	Zoo Animals Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will change the criteria of eligibility for the Zoo Animal Fund to support those facing permanent closure within the next 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	147990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2021 answer text <p>Grant payments to zoos begin when they reach their final 12 weeks of financial reserves. Zoos can though apply at any time before reaching this 12 week point to help with their business planning. The Zoo Animals Fund is an envelope of funding to provide for zoos which, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals. The aim of the fund is to ensure animal welfare is maintained as a priority, not to ensure that every individual business necessarily remains open. If zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collections the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals' welfare. This includes providing support for zoos which are facing permanent closure within the next 12 months in relation to the costs of rehoming their animals. Additionally, we have expanded the range of costs that are eligible so zoos can now claim costs relating to pre-planned essential maintenance and repair works as well as animal care costs. The fund is accessible to all zoos in need of this financial support, as evidenced by the success of small, medium and large zoos in securing grant funding. At this point in time the eligibility criteria are not in the process of being expanded further though we continue to monitor the effectiveness of the fund to ensure it is meeting its aims - and indeed we have already made changes to make it easier for zoos to apply.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond the Zoo Animals Fund, the Government has provided a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support businesses, including zoos, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. Zoos are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 147991 question first answered 09/02/2021 15:38:26 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1282898

registered interest
date	02/02/2021
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	Zoo Animals Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will widen the eligibility criteria for the Zoo Animals Fund to ensure that zoo licence holders have adequate support.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	147991
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2021 answer text <p>Grant payments to zoos begin when they reach their final 12 weeks of financial reserves. Zoos can though apply at any time before reaching this 12 week point to help with their business planning. The Zoo Animals Fund is an envelope of funding to provide for zoos which, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals. The aim of the fund is to ensure animal welfare is maintained as a priority, not to ensure that every individual business necessarily remains open. If zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collections the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals' welfare. This includes providing support for zoos which are facing permanent closure within the next 12 months in relation to the costs of rehoming their animals. Additionally, we have expanded the range of costs that are eligible so zoos can now claim costs relating to pre-planned essential maintenance and repair works as well as animal care costs. The fund is accessible to all zoos in need of this financial support, as evidenced by the success of small, medium and large zoos in securing grant funding. At this point in time the eligibility criteria are not in the process of being expanded further though we continue to monitor the effectiveness of the fund to ensure it is meeting its aims - and indeed we have already made changes to make it easier for zoos to apply.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond the Zoo Animals Fund, the Government has provided a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support businesses, including zoos, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. Zoos are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 147990 question first answered 09/02/2021 15:38:26 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1282899

registered interest
date	02/02/2021
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	Aquariums and Zoos: Coronavirus
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 he has to support zoos and aquaria beyond March 2021 as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	147992
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2021 answer text <p>We recognise this has been an extremely tough time for the sector and would like to assure zoos that we remain committed to ensuring the sector can deliver the best possible care for its animals. We have extended the application deadline for the Zoo Animals Fund from 29 January 2021 to 26 February 2021, and the fund provides support up until the end of March 2021. The Zoo Animals Fund is an envelope of funding which to provides for zoos which, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals. The focus of the fund is on the welfare of zoo animals and if zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collections, including if they are closing, then the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals' welfare. The fund has been a lifeline for many zoos and has been accessible to all zoos which need funds to care for their animals, as evidenced by the success of small, medium and large zoos in securing grant funding. We stand ready to process applications and encourage any zoo in need to apply.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond the Zoo Animals Fund, the Government has provided a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support businesses, including zoos, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19 and we encourage zoos to explore these. Zoos are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 147751 147993 question first answered 10/02/2021 16:38:48 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1282900

registered interest
date	02/02/2021
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	Zoo Animals Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of ringfencing money from the Zoo Animals Fund to make it accessible beyond the end of the 2020-21 financial year.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	147993
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2021 answer text <p>We recognise this has been an extremely tough time for the sector and would like to assure zoos that we remain committed to ensuring the sector can deliver the best possible care for its animals. We have extended the application deadline for the Zoo Animals Fund from 29 January 2021 to 26 February 2021, and the fund provides support up until the end of March 2021. The Zoo Animals Fund is an envelope of funding which to provides for zoos which, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals. The focus of the fund is on the welfare of zoo animals and if zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collections, including if they are closing, then the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals' welfare. The fund has been a lifeline for many zoos and has been accessible to all zoos which need funds to care for their animals, as evidenced by the success of small, medium and large zoos in securing grant funding. We stand ready to process applications and encourage any zoo in need to apply.</p><p> </p><p>Beyond the Zoo Animals Fund, the Government has provided a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support businesses, including zoos, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19 and we encourage zoos to explore these. Zoos are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 147751 147992 question first answered 10/02/2021 16:38:48 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1277061

registered interest
date	15/01/2021
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	Assistance Animals: Pet Travel Scheme
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 progress has been made on developing a permanent solution for assistance dogs to obtain part one listed status under the Pet Passport Scheme to (a) allow travel to the EU on the same basis as before the end of the transition period and (b) remove the new internal border for assistance dog owners between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	138498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>The health and documentary requirements for pet travel to the EU are set out under the EU Pet Travel Regulations. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, EU rules also apply to the non-commercial movements of pets into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. There are no derogations for assistance dogs under the legal framework of the EU Pet Travel Regulations.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to press the EU Commission in relation to securing Part 1 listed status, recognising that achieving this would alleviate some of the new requirements for pet owners and assistance dog users travelling to the EU and to Northern Ireland. We are clear that we meet all the animal health requirements for this and we have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding pet travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government is working with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on a permanent solution which respects the rights of assistance dog users and pet owners to travel with the minimum of friction. Guidance on pet travel to Northern Ireland is available on the DAERA’s NIDirect website.</p><p> </p><p>We are proactively engaging with the assistance dog community and relevant stakeholders on the impacts on dog movements from Great Britain to the EU and to Northern Ireland. We will continue to work closely with assistance dog organisations to share the latest advice and guidance (in accessible formats) with their members on pet travel requirements.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/01/2021 15:11:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1274066

registered interest
date	06/01/2021
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	Zoo Animals Fund
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 he has made of the implications for his policy on the £100 million Zoo Animals Fund of (a) the fund expiry date of 29 January 2021, (b) the absence of a replacement and (c) 95 per cent of the fund having been unspent.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	134096
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2021 answer text <p>The Zoo Animal Fund remains open for applications until 29 January 2021 and provides support up until the end of March 2021. We are considering whether an extension to this application deadline may be possible. The Zoo Animals Fund is an envelope of available funds to provide for zoos who, due to a coronavirus-related drop in income are experiencing severe financial difficulties and need support in caring for their animals between now and the start of the next peak visitor season, which is normally around Easter time. If zoos are downsizing or rehoming their collection the fund can also provide support for this to ensure the animals’ welfare.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 134097 question first answered 11/01/2021 14:50:56 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel