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1693619

registered interest
date	04/03/2024
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: Import Controls
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 (a) publish the responses to the 2021 consultation on the commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into Great Britain and (b) commit to a legislative timeframe to ban the import of dogs with cropped ears.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	16980
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>We are carefully reviewing the feedback gathered from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders, and a summary will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The practice of non-exempted mutilations such as cropping dogs' ears is abhorrent and has rightly been banned in the UK for over 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by the hon. Member for North Devon on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of dogs with cropped ears.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 19/03/2024 14:45:05 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1690119

registered interest
date	19/02/2024
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	Water: Pollution 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, how many hectares of land have been protected for wildlife as a result of the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	14725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2024 answer text <p>Nutrient neutrality advice aims to halt further pollution of England’s most important protected waterways whose catchments cover an area of approximately 1.8m ha.</p><p> </p><p>Natural England has developed a Nutrient Mitigation Scheme that has so far secured approximately 257 ha of land to reduce nutrient pollution from new housing development. This land will also be managed for the purposes of nature conservation and, where appropriate, public access.</p><p> </p><p>Natural England is currently investigating other sites across England which, if considered feasible, would secure approximately 512 ha of land for the purposes of nutrient mitigation and nature recovery.</p><p> </p><p>Natural England aims to avoid the best and most versatile agricultural land when investing in nutrient mitigation projects.</p><p> </p><p>The nutrient mitigation scheme operates alongside a number of other providers of nutrient mitigation across England, including Local Authorities, environmental Non-Governmental Organisations, private markets and developers. Many of the solutions invested in by these providers <em>will be</em> nature-based and will not only reduce nutrient pollution but benefit nature and people.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 05/03/2024 16:54:38 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1688615

registered interest
date	08/02/2024
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	Rodents: Animal Welfare
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 adequacy of legislation on the welfare of (a) pet and (b) wild rodents.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	13840
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government continues to take positive action to protect the welfare of companion animals - including rabbits and pet rodents such as gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 regulations) require anyone who is in the business of selling rodents as pets to obtain a valid licence from their local authority.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 amended the 2006 Act to deliver the Government's manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. Anyone who is cruel to an animal (including domestic rabbits and pet rodents) faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both. This strengthened measure sends a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.</p><p> </p><p>Advice is available to educate pet owners on providing for the welfare needs of their pet, including fact sheets produced by the Royal Veterinary College.</p><p> </p><p>We also have legislation in place regarding the welfare of wild rodents. A number of native wild species of rodent such as Hazel Dormouse, Red Squirrel, and Water Vole are afforded full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which makes it an offence to intentionally: kill, injure or take them. The welfare of all rodents is protected under both the Wild Mammals Act 1996 which makes certain acts of deliberate harm illegal and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which makes it unlawful for wild rodents to be subject to unnecessary suffering while under human control. Further to this, through the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, the Government is banning the use of glue traps in England in all but the most exceptional circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 19/02/2024 09:47:05 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1688616

registered interest
date	08/02/2024
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	Farmers: Mental 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, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of his Department's guidance to officials visiting farms about (a) farmers' mental health, (b) signs of concern, (c) early intervention and (d) avenues of support.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	13841
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>Mental health provision is a matter for the Department for Health and Social Care. In working with farmers Defra takes very seriously the need to support farmers' health.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the importance of giving field officers the appropriate tools to be able to support farmers. There are processes in place across Defra to ensure officials visiting farms have adequate guidance about farmers’ mental health, signs of concern, early intervention and avenues of support.</p><p> </p><p>The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has rolled out mental health training for new and existing field officers and visit support staff, which all staff in RPA will have completed by the end of March 2024. Alongside this, staff are also having training on customer vulnerability which will help them to be able to effectively signpost to farming welfare organisations. RPA helpline staff have all undertaken mental health training which is in the process of being refreshed in close collaboration with the Farming Community Network (FCN). Similar training is in place for all Environment Agency officers who are engaged in regulatory inspections of farms, and Animal and Plant Health Agency staff are also engaging with local FCN representatives to share best practice.</p><p> </p><p>We think we can do even more to make sure that we provide the right help and support to farmers when they need it. The Secretary of State has announced that work will be taken forward across all of Defra group to improve the relationships with farmers. As part of this work, we will explore opportunities to make our processes and training more consistent.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 23/02/2024 11:06:20 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1687535

registered interest
date	05/02/2024
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	Farmers
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 she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) literacy levels, (b) learning disabilities, (c) internet access and (d) the (i) length and (ii) number of communications on the accessibility of her Department's communications to farmers.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	13135
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2024 answer text <p>During the agricultural transition we are supporting farmers and land managers with varying rates in literacy and internet capabilities through the changes. The October 2023 Farmer Opinion Tracker (published 7 February 2024) found farmers on 74% of holdings said they either had all or most of the information they need for business planning; or that they knew where they could find information.</p><p> </p><p>We test the readability and users’ understanding of content language via user research panels made up of farmers and in consultation with farming membership bodies and charities.</p><p> </p><p>To further ensure our offer is accessible we have provided free support to over 18,000 farmers through the Farming Resilience Fund. The support has included group workshops, one-to-one advice from experts and farm visits.</p><p> </p><p>We have also funded the Farming Advice Service which provides free, confidential advice both in person and over the phone to help farmers and land managers in England understand farming policy and their legal requirements.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 12/02/2024 16:36:15 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1676543

registered interest
date	08/12/2023
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	Pigs: Animal Welfare
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 impact of farrowing cages on the welfare of pigs.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	6046
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2023 answer text <p>Defra’s 2018 statutory welfare code of practice for pigs confirms that “the aim is for farrowing crates to no longer be necessary and for any new system to protect the welfare of the sow, as well as her piglets”. The UK already has a significant outdoor pig sector with 40% of the national sow breeding herd farrowing freely on outdoor units with no option for confinement.</p><p> </p><p>We are firmly committed to maintaining our strong track record on animal welfare and continue to work with the farming industry to maintain and enhance our high standards. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, part of our new domestic agricultural policy, supports farmers to produce healthier, higher welfare animals. The Government’s welfare priorities for the Pathway include supporting pig producers to transition away from confinement systems.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 18/12/2023 13:26:09 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1675089

registered interest
date	04/12/2023
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	Hornets: Pollinators
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 his Department has made of the potential impact of the Asian Hornet on (a) honey bees and (b) other wild pollinators (i) since January 2023 and (ii) from January 2024.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	Sarah Dyke
uin	5049
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2023 answer text <p>The Government recognises the essential role played by honey bees and wild pollinators in our environment, acknowledging their contribution to crop pollination. Additionally, pollinators play a vital role in supporting the natural ecosystem.</p><p> </p><p>Asian hornets prey on honey bees and other pollinators so pose a significant threat to the pollination services that these insects provide. To date, rapid action has been taken in the UK to find and destroy Asian hornet nests. We would expect that there has been a localised impact on honey bee colonies and other pollinators. The Government remains committed to taking swift and effective contingency action against Asian hornet in 2024 thereby continuing to minimise the impacts on honey bees and other pollinators.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 11/12/2023 13:33:56 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4995 label Biography information for Sarah Dyke

1641216

registered interest
date	02/06/2023
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: Somerset
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 23rd May 2023 to Question 185044 on Flood Control: Somerset, what recent discussions she has had with the Environment Agency about introducing further measures to protect (a) houses and (b) the road network in East Somerset from future flash flooding caused by high rainfall.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	David Warburton
uin	187255
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2023 answer text <p>The significant rainfall event that occurred on 9 May in Somerset resulted in ‘flash flooding’ due to the intensity of rainfall that occurred in a very localised area, causing fluvial and surface water flooding.</p><p> </p><p>In England the Environment Agency (EA) has the strategic overview for flood risk and managing the risk from main rivers, reservoirs and the sea, and lead local flood authorities are responsible for local flood risk management, covering the risk of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is acting to drive down flood risk from every angle. In March 2020 we announced a record £5.2 billion investment over six years in flood and coastal erosion schemes to better protect communities across England. Around half of the schemes funded by the programme will be delivered by the EA and half by other risk management authorities, such as lead local flood authorities. Schemes within this investment programme in the local area include: property flood resilience measures to be installed at residential properties in Isle Brewers, Nunney and Frome; pump replacements at the Huish, Long Load, Midleney &amp; Westover, pumping stations; and safety repairs at West Moor Reservoir.</p><p> </p><p>Following the 2021 flooding in Chard and Ilminster, the EA in collaboration with Somerset lead local flood authority has secured funding to undertake a number of strategic flood risk studies to identify longer term steps to better manage flood risk in these areas. This work is due to start this financial year.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 09/06/2023 11:52:27 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4526 label Biography information for David Warburton

1641217

registered interest
date	02/06/2023
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	Nature Conservation: Voluntary Work
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 discussions her Department has had with wildlife trusts to help support engaging with nature through volunteering.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	David Warburton
uin	187256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2023 answer text <p>Our aim is for more people, from all backgrounds, to engage with and spend time in green and blue spaces in their everyday lives. We recognise the important role that volunteers play in protecting and enhancing the natural environment. The Landscapes Review has proposed expanding volunteering in our protected landscapes, and we fully support this initiative.</p><p> </p><p>We are actively exploring various avenues to support and promote volunteer engagement in nature conservation. For example, through our Access For All programme, we are facilitating the purchase of specialist equipment that enables volunteers of all abilities to take part in conservation activities. This not only helps protect and enhance the natural environment but also contributes to the volunteers' mental and physical well-being. The Wildlife Trusts are a key member of our Access and Engagement Forum, where we discuss the progress and development of this programme amongst others.</p><p> </p><p>We remain committed to collaborating with a wide range of organisations, including wildlife trusts, to encourage and facilitate volunteering opportunities in the natural world.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 09/06/2023 11:49:34 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
tabling member	4526 label Biography information for David Warburton

1627857

registered interest
date	15/05/2023
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: Somerset
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 steps her Department is taking to help ensure that Somerset is more resilient to future flood risk.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	David Warburton
uin	185042
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2023 answer text <p>Somerset has seen significant investment in recent years and has benefitted from the formation of the Somerset Rivers Authority partnership. Over £80 million of investment since 2014 in flood risk interventions helps the Environment Agency better manage flooding. It allows the Environment Agency to take pre-emptive action to delay the onset of flooding, to evacuate the waters more effectively. Together this enables communities to be more resilient and to recover more rapidly from flooding. The below investment was delivered in 2014/15:</p><ul><li>£6m on dredging, financed by DEFRA, delivered by the Environment Agency</li><li>£20m on raising roads and drainage improvements financed by Department of Transport delivered by Somerset County Council</li><li>£20m on repairing flood damage to assets from Defra Flood defence grant-in-aid</li><li>£13m on improvements to the Sowy and Kings Sedgemoor Drain from Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership</li><li>£3.5m on Pumping station extra capacity and improvements at Aller and Westonzoyland</li><li>£500k improvements to the Parrett and Tone hydraulic model.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency are continuing to invest in Somerset, this includes maintaining existing defences and also helping communities to adapt and become more resilient in the face of a changing climate. Ongoing investment includes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Bridgwater Tidal Barrier scheme – investment of over £128m – Operational barrier by 2026.</li><li>Dunball Sluice refurbishment – total investment of around £3.6m. Delivery by 2024</li><li>Pumping Station upgrades – Project to invest around £5.5m. Complete by 2025</li><li>Reservoir improvement investment (public safety) – Investment Program of £19m – Delivery complete by 2027</li><li>Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation Improvements – Council have agreed £6m funding in 3 interventions:</li></ul><p>1. River Tone left bank defence improvements, Frieze Hill to Town Bridge</p><p>2. Raising of Firepool lockgate and defences between the River Tone and the Bridgwater to Taunton Canal (TTC10)</p><p>3. Longrun Meadows - optimising flood water storage.</p><p> </p><p>Communities in Ilminster, Chard and Minehead are also benefitting from recently approved investment to help reduce flood risk. The Environment Agency and Somerset Council have secured funding from the Frequently Flooded Allowance fund to carry out investigative studies on what future flood risk interventions are required.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 19/05/2023 10:31:56 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4526 label Biography information for David Warburton