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1486543

registered interest
date	05/07/2022
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	Forests: Conservation
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 make its policy to introduce a Great British rainforests strategy.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	31167
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2022 answer text <p>The international importance of temperate rainforests (also termed Atlantic woodland) in supporting rare and threatened species has been recognised in domestic biodiversity policy for many decades. Many temperate rainforests are protected by existing policy. Many are ancient woodlands, which are protected from development in all but wholly exceptional circumstances. We have also committed in the England Trees Action Plan to increase protections in the planning system for long established woodland in situ since 1840. Many of our temperate rainforests support rich assemblages of species and are in our series of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). SSSI selection guidelines for woodlands are focused on securing a representative series rather than protecting every example.</p><p> </p><p>This government has made a world-leading commitment to halt the decline in nature by 2030, which will rely on the restoration and creation of habitats across the country. This will be supported by funding from the Nature for Climate Fund, future farming schemes including Landscape Recovery, and new funds such as the Big Nature Impact Fund. We will consider, while designing and rolling out these schemes, how they might support the protection and restoration of certain types of woodlands including ‘temperate rainforest’. We also provide financial support to the buffering and expansion of valuable woodlands such as temperate rainforests through the England Woodland Creation Offer, and funding for the improvement and restoration of temperate rainforest sites through the Regional Restoration Funds.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently working on the revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan, the next Environmental Improvement Plan, due January 2023. This is the overarching strategy for the environment, as set out in the Environment Act, and where relevant we will consider the role of temperate rainforest in helping to meet our substantial environmental commitments.</p><p> </p><p>Forestry policy is devolved, so the protection and restoration of temperate rainforests outside England is a matter for the devolved authorities.</p> answering member constituency St Austell and Newquay answering member printed Steve Double question first answered 14/07/2022 16:32:27 answering member 4452 label Biography information for Steve Double
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1486544

registered interest
date	05/07/2022
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	Forests: Conservation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of the £30 million Big Nature Impact Fund his Department plans to use to protect and restore Britain’s temperate rainforests.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	31168
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2022 answer text <p>The Government is working to design a new Big Nature Impact Fund, which we propose should focus investments on the creation or restoration of carbon-rich biodiverse habitats, primarily native woodlands and restored peatlands. This could include projects involving temperate rainforest should they apply. In line with the Fund's aims to develop environmental markets, investments will only be made in projects capable of generating revenue from ecosystem services.</p> answering member constituency St Austell and Newquay answering member printed Steve Double question first answered 13/07/2022 15:02:18 answering member 4452 label Biography information for Steve Double
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1486545

registered interest
date	05/07/2022
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	Forests: Conservation
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 his Department plans to include temperate rainforest restoration in its Landscape Recovery pilot projects.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	31169
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2022 answer text <p>Landscape Recovery will provide funding for long-term, large-scale projects to enhance habitats and deliver land-use change with a focus on biodiversity, water quality and net zero. This could include projects that plan to restore woodland or temperate rainforest.</p><p> </p><p>Applications for the first round of Landscape Recovery pilots closed on 24 May. We are currently assessing the 51 bids received and will confirm which projects have been selected later this summer.</p><p> </p><p>We intend to launch a second round of pilot projects next year and will confirm the proposed focus for that round later this year.</p> answering member constituency St Austell and Newquay answering member printed Steve Double question first answered 13/07/2022 15:07:42 answering member 4452 label Biography information for Steve Double
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1343606

registered interest
date	05/07/2021
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	Beverage Containers: Deposit Return Schemes
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 recent assessment he has made of the market impact of a (a) flat rate and (b) variable rate of deposit within a deposit return scheme.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	27237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2021 answer text <p>We have recently closed our second consultation on introducing a deposit return scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are analysing the responses with a view to publishing a government response later this year. We will be appointing a Deposit Management Organisation to run the DRS scheme. The recent consultation explored the potential for both a flat rate and variable rate deposit to be used in the scheme, and stated that the intention would be for the Deposit Management Organisation to have the power to set the deposit level within parameters set out in legislation by Government. This would include the ability to set either a flat rate or variable rate deposit. The government response to the consultation will include details on the agreed approach to setting a deposit level in the DRS.</p><p> </p><p>I am acutely aware of the concerns that stakeholders have raised regarding the possible market distortions that could occur depending on the type and level of deposit set, and we will be keeping these concerns in mind when finalising the approach to setting and amending the deposit level.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 27021 question first answered 13/07/2021 13:28:52 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1311293

registered interest
date	22/04/2021
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	Litter: Tobacco
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to reduce tobacco litter.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	914637
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2021 answer text <p>The most effective way to tackle smoking related litter is by reducing the prevalence of smoking in the first place. The Government has committed to publish a new tobacco control plan for England later this year, to deliver its ambition of a smoke-free country by 2030. We have also recently announced our intention to explore regulatory options to ensure that the tobacco industry takes sufficient financial responsibility for the toxic litter created by its products.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 22/04/2021 16:34:27 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1281769

registered interest
date	28/01/2021
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	Supermarkets: 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 support his Department can make available to vulnerable individuals who are unable to afford minimum spending requirements or delivery charges for priority supermarket home delivery slots.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	145079
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2021 answer text <p>DEFRA is continuing to hold regular conversations with each of the seven supermarkets participating in the priority access to online deliveries offer: Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. The department uses these meetings as an opportunity to convey any concerns raised by charities or Local Authorities around topics such as delivery charges. Although DEFRA cannot legally dictate the delivery costs charged by supermarkets, our regular conversations ensure that supermarkets understand the impact that delivery charges can have in preventing a clinically extremely vulnerable person from being able to access food.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside encouraging supermarkets to seriously consider the impact delivery charges can have on clinically extremely vulnerable people, the department also monitors delivery charges and circulates this information to Local Authorities to allow them to advise their residents accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>If a vulnerable customer is struggling to afford the costs associated with online delivery, they could consider using a supermarket’s click and collect service. While there is no priority access to click and collect slots, slot availability tends to be much higher than for online deliveries. Vulnerable customers could ask friends, family or a volunteer to visit the store and collect the shopping they ordered online on their behalf. If a vulnerable customer is unable to access food through one of these routes, then they may wish to contact their local council to see what support they are able to offer.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 05/02/2021 13:35:39 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1186209

registered interest
date	18/03/2020
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	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 his policy is on pet passports after the end of the transition period; and if he will take steps to ensure that pets will be able to travel freely with their owners throughout the EU.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Dr James Davies
uin	31592
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>The non-commercial movement of cats, dogs and ferrets is covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme which has three categorisations of third country: unlisted; Part 1 listed; and Part 2 listed. Third countries can apply to the European Commission to be listed under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has submitted its application to allow the UK to become a Part 1 listed third country under Annex II of the EU Pet Travel Regulations to the European Commission. Should the UK become a Part 1 listed country, there would be little change to the current arrangements, with only minor changes needed for documentation and, in most cases, no change for owners from what they currently need to do in terms of their animal’s health preparation. It is now for the Commission to consider our application for listed status.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 23/03/2020 13:17:36 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies

1151594

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
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	Chemicals: Regulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2019 to Question 453 on Chemicals: Regulation, whether the IT system for UK REACH will be fully operational on day one of the UK's exit from the EU. .
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	3583
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2019 answer text <p>The UK REACH IT system ‘Comply with UK-REACH’ will be ready to launch on Day 1 of the UK’s exit from the EU.</p><p> </p><p>‘Comply with UK-REACH’ is being built in a phased approach, so that all features necessary for Day 1 are ready. This will include the ability to register existing UK-held registrations (‘grandfathering’), submit downstream user import notifications (DUIN) for those currently benefitting from EU held registrations, and submit new substance registrations and product and process-oriented research and development (PPORD) notifications.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 29/10/2019 13:10:17 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1150154

registered interest
date	16/10/2019
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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Health
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 her Department uses Office for National Statistics estimates of personal well-being in formulating policy; and what policies her department has introduced to improve personal well-being in the past 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	908
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2019 answer text <p>We use Office for National Statistics (ONS) wellbeing statistics to inform Health and Wellbeing policy within the Civil Service. Defra also measures personal wellbeing through the annual Civil Service People Survey using the same national statistics that the ONS use for the UK population as a whole. The four personal well-being questions are: Life Satisfaction, Worthwhile, Happiness, and Anxiety. Further details can be found <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/bulletins/measuringnationalwellbeing/july2017tojune2018" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has an established work-related health and wellbeing programme, as part of our Health &amp; Safety Policy, incorporated into the overall health and safety management system. Defra recognises its legal duty to identify both physical and psychological risks to harm and put measures into place to minimise work-related ill health and injury. The Health &amp; Safety Policy is supported by our agreed safety, health and wellbeing standards, risk assessments, guidance and training which are reviewed and updated regularly to meet our aspirations around continuous improvement.</p><p> </p><p>In the last 12 months specifically Defra has reviewed, refreshed and reinforced various services and support mechanisms in place to support employee health and wellbeing. This has included benchmarking against the core and enhanced standards in the ‘Thriving at Work Report’. For example Defra has implemented Mental Health First Aiders to support individuals in crisis, an internal employee-led mental health ‘buddy’ network. These improvements supplement our standard offer where employees have access to an external provider Employee Assistance Programme, and Occupational Health Service. Staff and Line Managers are encouraged to notify work-related stress via internal reporting procedures; follow up conversations help to identify areas to address and ensure individuals are signposted to appropriate support. A programme of regular wellbeing related webinars are available and we consult with areas of the business to provide bespoke health and wellbeing services as needed.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 25/10/2019 09:57:11 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1149491

registered interest
date	15/10/2019
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	Chemicals: Regulation
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 the cost to the public purse was of setting up the IT system for UK REACH; and what estimate she has been made of projected spend on that system in each of the next five years.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	453
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p><em>Comply with UK REACH</em> is the new IT system that will underpin the independent chemicals regime UK REACH. The cost of establishing this system and preparing it to facilitate the needs of UK REACH on Day 1 of our exit from the EU has been to date £14.32 million.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Annual running costs of <em>Comply with UK REACH</em> for the next five years will depend on the pace and extent of future development and the future relationship negotiated between the UK and EU.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 22/10/2019 14:14:40 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane