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1702155

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	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	Storms: Oxfordshire
	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 his Department is taking to support people in Oxfordshire who have been affected by Storm Henk.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
	tabling member printed	Layla Moran
	uin	22633
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Storm Henk impacted large parts of Oxfordshire, including homes, businesses and infrastructure. My thoughts are with those affected.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency worked tirelessly to minimise the impacts of flooding by operating flood assets, issuing flood warnings, making sure rivers were free of blockages and, where appropriate, putting out temporary barriers. Following the storm the Environment Agency continues to engage with impacted communities to gather information that will help them, and partners, better understand how they can support the communities to increase their resilience flooding.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency is working with partners to provide a joined-up approach so that communities get the most appropriate and swift support, including the ongoing work to develop and deliver projects such as the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>In January 2024, the Government announced the launch of the Flood Recovery Framework for areas most affected by Storm Henk. These schemes closed on 12 April and included:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Community Recovery Grant - £500 per eligible flooded household.</li><li>Business Recovery Grant - £2,500 per eligible small or medium business.</li><li>Council tax and business rates relief – Minimum three months of relief per eligible household/business.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Defra also activated the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Repair Grant scheme where eligible properties can receive up to £5,000 to install PFR measures. Households and business who suffered from internal flooding should contact Oxfordshire County Council to apply. The PFR scheme opened on 8 January and will close in July 2025.</p><p> </p><p>We are also actively reviewing the areas eligible for support through the Farming Recovery Fund to ensure it supports areas where farmland is most impacted due to Storm Henk. Oxfordshire is among these areas being considered for inclusion in the Fund. We are working through the impacts and will set out the position on the additional areas to be included in the Fund shortly. We will write to all those eligible farmers informing them of the funding they are able to claim.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 08:43:22 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1702158

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	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	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 (a) discussions and (b) correspondence his Department has had with (i) Lead Local Flood Authorities and (ii) the Local Government Association as part of his response of 13 March 2024 to the National Infrastructure Council report Reducing the risk of surface water flooding.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
	tabling member printed	Emma Hardy
	uin	22631
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>In considering the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) study into surface water flooding, Defra officials met with the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport’s (ADEPT) Flood and Water Group. This group is predominately made up of lead local flood authorities and the Local Government Association. At the meeting there was a discussion about the NIC’s study and nine recommendations, and the different views on them. The ADEPT Flood and Water Group also wrote to Defra after the meeting. Defra took these views into account when producing the Government response and accepting or partially accepting all of the NIC’s recommendations.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 09:39:06 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4645 label Biography information for Emma Hardy

1702163

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	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	Land Drainage
	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 16 January 2024 to Question 8811 on Land Drainage, what his expected timetable is for implementing Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010; and what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions he has had with local authorities on preparing for the implementation.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
	tabling member printed	Emma Hardy
	uin	22632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government remains firmly committed to delivering standardised sustainable drainage systems in new developments as stated in our Plan for Water (April 2023). A consultation will take place shortly and final implementation decisions will be made on scope, threshold and process.</p><p> </p><p>Defra officials engage with local authority representatives on this issue on a regular basis. We would expect discussions to intensify during and following the upcoming public consultation.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 09:33:59 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4645 label Biography information for Emma Hardy

1702350

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	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	Environmental Land Management Schemes
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government why existing agri-environment schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship scheme are based on the claim deadline of 15 May 2023 while the Rural Payments Agency window runs up until 30 June 2024, resulting in wait times of up to 13 months for farmers and land managers to receive their payments; and whether they have any plans to change this in future.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
	uin	HL3961
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Within the European Union, policies were set for seven years with limited opportunity to change, however, now that we have left the EU, we are rolling out our new environmental land management schemes and are adopting new approaches, including to our payment frequencies. We have already introduced more frequent payments in our new schemes, to make them work better for farm businesses. For example, SFI offers payments on a quarterly schedule, so that farmers start getting paid in the fourth month of their agreement, and every 3 months after that. Where possible, as we expand the offer, we will offer more frequent payments to more participants.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:46:58 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

1701718

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Recycling: Urban Areas
	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 take steps with local authorities to increase access to mobile household recycling centres in cities.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
	uin	22392
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) play an important role in helping people manage the waste they produce in a convenient and sustainable way. Local authorities are responsible for managing HWRCs and determining how best to support their residents to manage waste responsibly. We encourage any innovative approaches that local authorities take to improve access and availability of their waste services.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 23/04/2024 17:47:23 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali

1701722

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Swifts: 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 an assessment of the adequacy of the conservation status of the swift.
	tabling member constituency	Camborne and Redruth
	tabling member printed	George Eustice
	uin	22288
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK swift population is estimated at 59,000 pairs (2016) Swift population trends are monitored annually by the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which recorded a decline of 62% between 1995 and 2021, and of 40% between 2011 and 2021. Due to the declines recorded by BBS, swifts were added to the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in the UK in 2021 and are considered ‘Endangered’ at GB level.</p><p>Natural England is currently undertaking a review of the conservation interventions needed to support the recovery of over 100 of our most threatened bird species, including the swift.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/04/2024 14:54:10 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3934 label Biography information for George Eustice

1701723

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Horticulture: Peat
	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 2 February 2024 to Question 10078 on Horticulture: Peat, what (a) legal and (b) other advice he has received on the suitability of powers provided by section 53 and schedule 7 of the Environment Act 2021 in providing an appropriate legislative vehicle for restricting the sale of horticultural peat.
	tabling member constituency	Camborne and Redruth
	tabling member printed	George Eustice
	uin	22289
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the reply previously given on 2 February 2024, PQ 10078.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/04/2024 13:37:15 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3934 label Biography information for George Eustice

1701725

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Pets: Smuggling
	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 publish guidance for pet owners on the risks associated with buying pets that have been smuggled into the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22358
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Defra’s national communications campaign (Petfished) aims to raise awareness of issues associated with low-welfare and illegal supply of pets. This includes providing clear signposting on where responsible breeders and rehoming centres can be found and encouraging prospective buyers to research the seller thoroughly before they visit and decide to purchase. The campaign provides a list of red flags for buyers to look out for when searching for a pet online.</p><p> </p><p>Those choosing to import pets from abroad should do so responsibly by ensuring they purchase from a reputable seller or breeder and that it is transported by an authorised transporter with the necessary authorisations.</p><p> </p><p>Anyone who has suspicions or evidence of illegal activity relating to the importation of animals can report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency Intelligence Unit or their local Trading Standards office.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 24/04/2024 13:31:32 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1701770

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Agriculture: South Holland and the Deepings
	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 funding his Department has allocated to the farming sector in South Holland and the Deepings constituency since 2022 by (a) funding type and (b) recipient.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	22221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Rual Payment Agency has supported the farming and rural sector through payments under a range of schemes.</p><p> </p><p>Since January 2022, the RPA has released 954 payments to farmers, worth around £21.3m, in South Holland and the Deepings constituency broken down as follows.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Vol/Val</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Basic Payment Scheme</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Countryside Stewardship Scheme</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Environmental Stewardship</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Sustainable Farm Incentive</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Other Grants</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>756</p></td><td><p>140</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>25</p></td><td><p>28</p></td><td><p>954</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Value (£)</p></td><td><p>£ 17,960,030.90</p></td><td><p>£ 1,863,631.02</p></td><td><p>£ 98,297.09</p></td><td><p>£ 384,085.30</p></td><td><p>£ 963,624.28</p></td><td><p>£ 21,269,668.59</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:51:39 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1701874

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Hedges and Ditches: 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, what estimate he has made of the number of miles of hedgerow that has been (a) created and (b) restored since January 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham East
	tabling member printed	Janet Daby
	uin	22388
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>We have made no such assessment regarding the <em>total</em> number of hedgerows created or restored since 2023, however, there are now approximately 56,000 miles of hedgerows being managed through 16,000 agreements in the Government’s Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes. Under Countryside Stewardship approximately 20,680 Miles of Hedgerow have been created and restored since January 2023.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 22/04/2024 15:00:02 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby

1701888

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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: Floods
	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 rules apply to compensation payments made to farmers affected by flooding from the (a) Farming Recovery Fund and (b) other schemes; and what mechanisms are in place to allow for a review when such payments have been refused.
	tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
	tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
	uin	22256
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The following rules apply to farmers eligible for support from the Farming Recovery Fund. Farmers will receive payments for all land parcels which are flooded contiguous to a river with notably high river level gauge readings following Storm Henk during 2 to 12 January 2024. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will determine those farm businesses who are eligible and the amount of funding they could claim. If there are questions, then the farmer should write to the RPA.</p><p> </p><p>More details on the rules and eligibility guidance on implementation of the support available for other schemes activated under the Flood Recovery Framework was sent to Local Authorities, who manage the support provided by the Framework where it has been activated. Further review of the scheme is underway. Support available for farm businesses and residencies includes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Where a farm operates a SME ancillary business which is severely impacted by flooding, they were eligible to receive up to £2,500 under the Business Recovery Grant in respect of the ancillary business. This scheme closed to new applications on 12 April.</li><li>They can receive up to £5,000 to eligible flood hit property owners to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future floods under the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant; and</li><li>They may also be eligible for Business Rate Relief.</li></ul><p> </p><p>These schemes are run by the relevant Local Authorities and any decisions on appeals should be directed to them to review.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 23/04/2024 15:22:00 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

1701948

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Wildlife: 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 many hectares of new wildlife habitats have been (a) created and (b) restored since 31 January 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Batley and Spen
	tabling member printed	Kim Leadbeater
	uin	22439
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>We do not currently have an estimate for habitat created and restored in 2023, the first year of the target.</p><p> </p><p>Data on habitat created and restored is not usually available by year end. We expect there to be a two-year lag before having a 'complete' count due to the time taken for data to be reported and the quality assurance process.</p><p> </p><p>In April, we published information about actions that will count toward our statutory habitat target, the list of wildlife rich habitats, and definitions of restoration and creation (available <a href="https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6427187599900672" target="_blank">here</a>).</p><p> </p><p>We are currently working with Natural England to set up a formal reporting system for monitoring progress towards our statutory habitat target.</p><p> </p><p>While we establish this formal reporting system, we are looking at whether we can collect a subset of data from Defra Group delivery mechanisms for ad hoc interim reporting.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 23/04/2024 15:31:29 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4923 label Biography information for Kim Leadbeater

1701949

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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: 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, what his expected timetable is for publishing his Department's roadmap on household water efficiency.
	tabling member constituency	Batley and Spen
	tabling member printed	Kim Leadbeater
	uin	22440
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>We published our ‘Roadmap on water efficiency in new developments and retrofits’ in the Environmental Improvement Plan in 2023. This sets out 10 actions to achieve our statutory target to reduce water demand by 20% by 2038. Within this we committed to implementing a Mandatory Water Efficiency label by 2025, to enable consumers to identify water efficient products. In October 2023, the Government publicly committed to a spring consultation to fulfil the roadmap action to Review the Building Regulations 2010, and the water efficiency, water recycling and drainage standards (regulation 36 and Part G2, H1, H2, H3 of Schedule 1), considering industry competence and skills.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 09:55:18 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4923 label Biography information for Kim Leadbeater

1701950

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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 Supply: Repairs and Maintenance
	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 he is taking with water companies to help tackle leaks.
	tabling member constituency	Batley and Spen
	tabling member printed	Kim Leadbeater
	uin	22441
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Reducing losses through leakage is an important part of maintaining secure supplies of water for customers now and in the future. Government is committed to reducing leakage and has set a statutory water demand target to reduce water demand per person by 20% by 2038. This includes reducing leakage by 37% by 2038, on a trajectory to a 50% reduction in leakage by 2050. ​Ofwat set out a £51 billion five-year investment package in the Price Review 2019, including requirements for water companies to cut leaks by 16% and reduce mains bursts by 12% between 2020-2025. ​Ofwat will hold water companies to account for delivering leakage reduction targets, with financial penalties if they fail to meet them.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 09:58:08 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4923 label Biography information for Kim Leadbeater

1701951

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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 Supply: Sustainable Development
	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 an assessment of the sustainability of the future water supply.
	tabling member constituency	Batley and Spen
	tabling member printed	Kim Leadbeater
	uin	22442
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Last year, regional water resources groups and water companies, consulted on their draft water resources plans. These statutory plans set out how each company will secure water supplies sustainably for at least the next 25 years. Within the plans, water companies consider all options, including demand management and new water resources infrastructure. The draft plans show how the Government’s water demand targets will be met, including reducing leaks, and contain proposals for multiple new water resources infrastructure schemes, such as reservoirs, by 2050.</p><p> </p><p>Further information on the water resources plans can be found in the Environment Agency’s <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fa-review-of-englands-draft-regional-and-water-resources-management-plans%2Fa-summary-of-englands-draft-regional-and-water-resources-management-plans&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C4b78e7043f6b4c04642e08dc5facae60%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638490442485583080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ri%2BY5wEcXeIAtYINFeOSo5hM4hn0ioWNUNc0EnAXWTA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Summary</a> of England’s draft regional and water resources management plan published in March 2024.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 23/04/2024 14:49:32 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4923 label Biography information for Kim Leadbeater

1701952

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Recreation Spaces and Water
	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 and what proportion of the population have access to (a) green space and (b) water within 15 minutes walk from home.
	tabling member constituency	Batley and Spen
	tabling member printed	Kim Leadbeater
	uin	22443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The data we currently use on the number and proportion of people with access to greenspace is taken from Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework analysis. Natural England’s G3 Indicator report shows that as of October 2021, the proportions of the total population in England living within Accessible Greenspace Standards ‘criteria’ (straight line distances from the boundary of the greenspaces) are:</p><p> </p><p>• 1 in 3 people live within 200 metres of a doorstep greenspace of at least 0.5 hectares</p><p>• 1 in 4 people live within 300 metres of a local natural greenspace of at least 2 hectares</p><p>• 1 in 2 people live within 1 km of a neighbourhood natural greenspace of at least 10 hectares.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently working to establish a robust baseline of walkability to green and blue space, including working with NE and with the Rivers Trust to create data on blue space access points. In August we will publish an official statistic in development on walkability within England to the nearest green space. This will use network analysis to calculate travel time/distance rather than straight-line distances, and enhanced use of data on the rights-of-way network. For full details see <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fstatistics%2Fannouncements%2Faccess-to-green-space-in-england&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C93a1eb1daf5340966ca808dc5fb38bf9%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638490471947068177%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bjtw1okd95IMoeOUg1YpNBZeCsiQGP1qPbNwrBJ60E8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/access-to-green-space-in-england</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 23/04/2024 14:26:21 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4923 label Biography information for Kim Leadbeater

1701956

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	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, if he will take steps to end the lethal dose 50% process for testing of substances on groups of animals; and if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department about increasing funding for non-animal methodologies in substance testing.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, West Derby
	tabling member printed	Ian Byrne
	uin	22419
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK supports work to develop New Approach Methodologies which can provide information on chemical hazards and risk assessment without the use of animals.</p><p> </p><p>The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the UK regulatory authority for veterinary medicines. The VMD assesses applications submitted by the veterinary pharmaceutical industry in line with national and international regulations and guidance to ensure safe and effective veterinary medicines of good quality are marketed. These requirements may therefore necessitate animal testing either to develop and register new veterinary medicines or for routine product quality control, to ensure the continued quality, safety and efficacy batch to batch. Non-animal tests are not always available. The VMD is committed to phasing out the use of animals for testing purposes where possible, in accordance with the principles of 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Furthermore, the UK is a signatory to the European Pharmacopoeia (which sets minimum quality standards of medicines) and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes. This commitment to the 3Rs is also enshrined in the UK’s Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 under which scientific procedures in animals are regulated.</p><p> </p><p>The Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation (the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs, Andrew Griffith) recently announced that the Government will publish a plan to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of technologies and methods to reduce reliance on the use of animals in science, which will be published in the summer. He also requested that we double our investment in research to achieve these approaches next year to £20 million across the system in 2024/25.</p><p> </p><p>LD50 testing is not required for preclinical development of novel medicines. Some authorised medicines in the UK include (LD50) quality control tests which require the use of animals, conducted to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of specific medicines. UK regulators follow the principles of the 3Rs. Significant progress has been made on validating alternative methods which do not use animals, including the possibility of replacing mice by in vitro suitable cell cultures in LD50-type testing methods, and the relevant regulatory quality standards and testing requirements have been revised accordingly for these specific medicines.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 24/04/2024 16:20:05 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4831 label Biography information for Ian Byrne

1701969

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	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	Fishing Vessels: Electric Vehicles
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the consultation on remote electronic fishing vessels, which ran from 17 July to 9 October 2023.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hayman of Ullock
	uin	HL3884
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>We will be publishing responses soon and they will be available on GOV.UK.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:44:20 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4395 label Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock

1701267

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Marine Environment: Investment
	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 his Department is taking to support private investment in ocean recovery.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol East
	tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
	uin	21935
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>Ocean conservation and the protection of marine biodiversity is a global challenge and one that is critically underfunded. Through the UK’s £500m UK aid Blue Planet Fund and in line with the 10 Point Plan for Financing Biodiversity and the International Development White Paper, we are supporting innovative projects that aim to attract and scale up private investment in ocean recovery. These initiatives include restoration and protection of blue carbon habitats and increasing coastal community resilience, funded through programmes led by the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (£13.9m), the World Bank’s sustainable blue economies programme- PROBLUE (£37.5m), and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (£33m), amongst others. In June 2023, Lord Benyon hosted a joint UK-GFCR Investors Roundtable event, which showcased the GFCR as a viable investment opportunity and supported investor mobilisation for the GFCR Investment fund. At 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), the GFCR Coalition announced the mobilisation of more than $200 million USD as an initial direct investment toward the newly established 2030 Coral Reef Breakthrough targets, these include mobilising $12bn for corals and protecting 125,000 km2 of corals (50% of ~250,000km2 global total) by 2030.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in Mobilising Green Investment: 2023 Green Finance Strategy, we are also taking action to meet our target to raise £1bn in private finance into nature’s recovery in England every year by 2030, both on land and at sea.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 19/04/2024 13:43:58 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1701268

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Marine Environment
	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 his Department is taking to (a) preserve and (b) expand blue carbon habitats.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol East
	tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
	uin	21936
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government recognises the important role that blue carbon habitats such as saltmarsh and seagrass can play in climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. These richly biodiverse habitats also provide a crucial buffer from coastal flooding, benefit fish stocks and improve local water quality.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is a global leader in ocean protection and we have taken a number of steps to support blue carbon habitats. In England, we have established a comprehensive network of 181 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which cover the majority of our saltmarsh and seagrass habitats. MPAs are intended to protect designated features listed within the MPA target. While blue carbon habitats may not always be an explicitly designated feature, MPA protection may still yield benefits. Our focus is now on ensuring that these MPAs are effectively protected to allow the designated features to achieve favourable condition. The first three Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMAs) designations in English waters came into force in summer 2023. Two of the three designated sites, Allonby Bay and North East of Farnes Deep, contain blue carbon habitats. Defra is exploring identifying additional candidate HPMA sites.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency’s Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef (ReMeMaRe) initiative is working to restore seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and native oyster reefs. Working in partnership with environmental non-government organisations, industry, community groups, and academia, the initiative aims to identify innovative funding opportunities, streamline regulatory processes, build capacity and share knowledge with partners to facilitate a larger programme of restoration.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has set up the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership in partnership with the Devolved Administrations to address evidence gaps that currently prevent the inclusion of blue carbon habitats in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI). Inclusion of these habitats in the GHGI will allow blue carbon to be marketed and traded as a carbon offset, leveraging private investment into these vital natural carbon stores.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 19/04/2024 12:45:39 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1701282

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Plastics: Recycling
	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 implications for his policies of the size of the global market for recycled rigid plastics; and what steps his Department is taking to develop (a) recycling capabilities of local authorities and (b) the global market for recycled rigid plastics.
	tabling member constituency	Suffolk Coastal
	tabling member printed	Dr Thérèse Coffey
	uin	21984
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>In December 2018, the UK Government published its Resources and Waste Strategy. This sets out how we will achieve a circular economy for plastic and achieve our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042. Our goal is to maximise resource efficiency and minimise waste (including plastic) - by following the principles of the waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – to keep plastic in circulation for longer. We will do this by making producers more responsible for the plastic they make with our incoming Collection and Packaging Reforms.</p><p> </p><p>Simpler Recycling will make recycling clearer and more consistent across England. Local authorities will be required to collect the same materials from households in the following core groups: metal; glass; plastic: paper and card; food waste; garden waste by March 2026 (with plastic film collections being introduced by March 2027). This will reduce confusion with recycling to improve recycling rates, ensuring there is more recycled material in the products we buy, and the UK recycling industry will grow. As well as Simpler Recycling, we are introducing Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging and a Deposit Return Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>To tackle the use of virgin plastics, the Government brought in the Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022, a tax of over £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic. We have since increased the tax to £217.85 per tonne and will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>There is a growing global demand for recycled plastics, including recycled rigid plastics. For example, IMARC estimates the size of the global plastic recycling market in 2023 to be $42bn and projects it to grow to $62bn by 2032.</p><p> </p><p>With 35% plastic content, the Government earlier this year consulted on measures to reduce the 155,000 tonnes of small electricals that are thrown in the bin annually. The government response will be published in due course.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 24/04/2024 10:18:48 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey

1701286

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which ports will be included in the Pollack Compensation Scheme; and how many vessels will be eligible in each port.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22010
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>It is estimated that approximately 50 vessels will be eligible for the compensation scheme. The home ports of eligible vessels are being verified by MMO, and the majority are expected to be registered in Newlyn, Plymouth and Brixham. MMO will be reaching out to eligible vessel owners in the coming days, when we will be able to confirm the home ports of those eligible for the scheme.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 16:56:37 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701287

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	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 made an assessment of the potential merits of providing support to small scale fleets that follow a seasonal fishery and will not achieve the 30 per cent of landings value required by the Pollack compensation scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22011
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The direction given was to support those businesses that have been most impacted by the bycatch-only TAC this year. As there is finite funding available, the pollack compensation scheme is focused on providing funding to vessel owners whose income is mainly derived from pollack and who made at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023 from pollack.</p><p> </p><p>Pollack fishers who are not eligible for compensation are still able to apply for grant funding from the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, which provides funding on a first come first served basis.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:02:34 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701295

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Ministerial Direction in relation to a pollack compensation scheme, published on 10 April 2024, whether he received legal advice on the potential for this scheme to set a precedent.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22012
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Legal advice was sought ahead of the Direction to provide support to commercially registered vessel owners who were reliant on pollack for at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023.</p><p> </p><p>This is a unique situation; unlike other zero TAC stocks, there are some vessels that only target pollack, for whom a bycatch-only TAC could not help and whom are in some cases, highly dependent on pollack for their living.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:08:40 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701298

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	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 estimate he has made of the cost of the Pollack compensation scheme; and how his Department plans to fund this scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22013
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Using MMO landings data from 2023, approximately 50 vessels would be eligible for the scheme. In 2023 these vessels landed around 220 tonnes of pollack, with a value of around £800,000. Compensating for 50% of the 2023 value would cost around £400,000. This data is being verified by MMO.</p><p> </p><p>Funding for the compensation will be found from Defra’s existing budget.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:18:17 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701299

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Pollack compensation scheme, whether he made an assessment of the potential merits of compensating for shore-based supply chain losses as part of that scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22014
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The direction given was to support those vessel owners that have been most impacted by the bycatch only TAC this year. As there is finite funding available, the pollack compensation scheme is focused on providing funding to vessel owners whose income is mainly derived from pollack and who made at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023 from pollack.</p><p> </p><p>Shore based businesses, though not eligible for compensation, are still able to apply for grant funding from the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, which provides funding on a first come first served basis.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 16:56:05 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701300

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	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 vessels under eight metres in length are eligible for the pollack compensation scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22015
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>According to the most up to date MMO landings data for 2023, there are 34 vessels under eight metres in length eligible for the compensation scheme. As there is finite funding available, the pollack compensation scheme is focused on providing funding to vessel owners whose income is mainly derived from pollack and who made at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023 from pollack. The MMO are currently verifying data and will reach out to eligible vessel owners in the coming days. Fishers who believe they meet the requirements of this scheme but have not heard from MMO by Monday 29<sup>th</sup> April 2024 should contact MMO by sending an email to <a href="mailto:UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk" target="_blank">UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 16:18:28 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701301

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	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 vessels between eight and ten metres in length are eligible for the pollack compensation scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22016
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>According to the most up to date MMO landings data for 2023, there are 11 vessels between eight and ten metres in length eligible for the compensation scheme. As there is finite funding available, the pollack compensation scheme is focused on providing funding to vessel owners whose income is mainly derived from pollack and who made at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023 from pollack. The MMO are currently verifying data and will reach out to eligible vessel owners in the coming days. Fishers who believe they meet the requirements of this scheme but have not heard from MMO by Monday 29<sup>th</sup> April 2024 should contact MMO by sending an email to <a href="mailto:UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk" target="_blank">UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 16:15:32 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701302

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	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 vessels between 10 and 15 metres in length are eligible for the pollack compensation scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22017
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>According to the most up to date Marine Management Organisation (MMO) landings data for 2023, there are three vessels between 10 and 15 metres in length eligible for the compensation scheme. As there is finite funding available, the pollack compensation scheme is focused on providing funding to vessel owners whose income is mainly derived from pollack and who made at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023 from pollack. The MMO are currently verifying data and will reach out to eligible vessel owners in the coming days. Fishers who believe they meet the requirements of this scheme but have not heard from MMO by Monday 29<sup>th</sup> April 2024 should contact MMO by sending an email to <a href="mailto:UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk" target="_blank">UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 16:13:50 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701303

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	White Fish: Fishing Catches
	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 vessels over 15 metres in length are eligible for the pollack compensation scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cambridge
	tabling member printed	Daniel Zeichner
	uin	22018
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>According to the most up to date Marine Management Organisation (MMO) landings data for 2023, there are no vessels over 15 metres in length eligible for the compensation scheme. As there is finite funding available, the pollack compensation scheme is focused on providing funding to vessel owners whose income is mainly derived from pollack and who made at least 30% of their reported landings income in 2023 from pollack. The MMO are currently verifying data and will reach out to eligible vessel owners in the coming days. Fishers who believe they meet the requirements of this scheme but have not heard from MMO by Monday 29<sup>th</sup> April 2024 should contact MMO by sending an email to <a href="mailto:UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk" target="_blank">UKFisheriesSupport@marinemanagement.org.uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 16:10:49 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4382 label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner

1701324

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Biodiversity: Lincolnshire
	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 his Department is taking to help reverse biodiversity loss in Lincolnshire.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	21877
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>In England we have set four legally binding targets for biodiversity: to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030; then to reverse declines by 2042; to reduce the risk of species extinction by 2042; and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat, also by 2042. These targets will drive actions to support biodiversity in Lincolnshire and every other area across England.</p><p> </p><p>We have set out our plan to deliver on these ambitious targets, along with our other environmental targets, in the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64a6d9c1c531eb000c64fffa/environmental-improvement-plan-2023.pdf" target="_blank">Environmental Improvement Plan</a> (EIP23) published 31 January 2023. Here we link the different objectives, plans and mechanisms for recovering nature.</p><p> </p><p>Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are being prepared across the whole of England to support the delivery of these targets. The 48 strategies are bringing together local partners to agree priorities and propose practical actions in areas where they would have the most benefit for nature recovery and the wider environment. Preparation of the Greater Lincolnshire LNRS is being led by Lincolnshire County Council, with support from local planning authorities in the area and Natural England.</p><p> </p><p>The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve (NNR) was declared in September 2023. The newly expanded NNR will enhance the nature and biodiversity of the Greater Lincolnshire coast making it a bigger, better and more joined up area for wildlife, through bringing together the Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Nature Reserves and adding a further 2350 hectares of land managed for nature conservation. The reserve supports many breeding and over-wintering birds, natterjack toads, special plants and insects.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Environment Agency is working with partners to deliver the Upper Witham River and floodplain restoration projects (currently shortlisted for the River Restoration Centre award). Over the last 10 years, habitat along 19.4 km of river has been enhanced with 19 projects: from urban habitat improvement in Grantham, to large scale river and wetland restoration in rural areas.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 23/04/2024 16:11:47 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1701332

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Swifts: 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 designate the swift as a species of bird which re-uses its nest under Schedule ZA1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
	tabling member constituency	Camborne and Redruth
	tabling member printed	George Eustice
	uin	21967
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>There are no plans to amend Schedule 1 or Schedule ZA1 at this time.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 21968 question first answered 23/04/2024 17:29:50 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3934 label Biography information for George Eustice

1701333

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Swifts: 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 designate the swift under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on birds which are protected by special penalties.
	tabling member constituency	Camborne and Redruth
	tabling member printed	George Eustice
	uin	21968
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>There are no plans to amend Schedule 1 or Schedule ZA1 at this time.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 21967 question first answered 23/04/2024 17:29:50 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	3934 label Biography information for George Eustice

1701395

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	National Pig Association and National Farmers Union
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he last met representatives of the (a) National Farmers Union and (b) National Pig Association UK; and what the results of those discussions were.
	tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
	tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
	uin	21906
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Secretary of State regularly meets with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU). In the last month he has met with the NFU President, Tom Bradshaw, during a visit to Dartmoor to discuss the Government’s response to the Fursdon Review. He also met with the NFU’s Deputy President, David Exwood, during a Farm Tenancy Forum in March to discuss the implementation of Kate Rock’s tenant farming review.</p><p> </p><p>As the Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, I also have frequent engagement with the pig sector and officials meet with representatives of the National Pig Association on a regular basis.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 22/04/2024 13:36:35 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

1701466

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Dairy Farming: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Table 1.2 of his Department's national statistics entitled Farm business income in England 2023/24 forecast, updated on 14 March 2024, whether his Department plans to provide financial support to dairy farmers in the context that their average farm business income in real terms is forecast to decrease by the greatest percentage among all farm types from financial year 2022-23 to financial year 2023-24.
	tabling member constituency	North Shropshire
	tabling member printed	Helen Morgan
	uin	22188
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK has a resilient and dynamic dairy sector which operates in an open market where the value of dairy commodities, including farmgate milk price, is established by those in the supply chain. The average Farm Business Income is at a 20-year high in 2022/23 following a previous 20-year high in 2021/22. The forecast decrease for 2023/24 would bring average Farm Business Income for dairy farm businesses back closer to historic trends. Through a range of government schemes, there is support for investment in dairy businesses through the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the animal health and welfare pathway and various productivity and innovation grants.</p><p> </p><p>We have also recently introduced new legislation, The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which creates new rules for dairy contracts covering issues such as pricing provisions, unilateral changes to contracts and notice periods. Ensuring fairer contracts will provide greater certainty for farmers and help the dairy industry thrive into the future.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:26:16 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4934 label Biography information for Helen Morgan

1701489

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Furs: Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the responses to the call for evidence on The Fur Market in Great Britain which closed on 28 June 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
	tabling member printed	Catherine West
	uin	22091
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>At this stage we do not have a confirmed date for publication of a summary of responses to the call for evidence on the fur market in Great Britain. In the meantime, we are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade.  We have also commissioned a report from our expert Animal Welfare Committee into the issue of what constitutes responsible sourcing in the fur industry. This report will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:15:09 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1701523

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: ICT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming for a digital future: 2022 to 2025 roadmap for digital and data, updated on 29 February 2024, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the risks of red-rated legacy IT systems.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	22074
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), in the Cabinet Office, has established a programme to support departments managing legacy IT. CDDO has agreed a frame-work to identify ‘red-rated’ systems, indicating high levels of risk surrounding certain assets within the IT estate. Departments have committed to have remediation plans in place for these systems by next year (2025).</p><p><br> It is not appropriate to release sensitive information held about specific red-rated systems or more detailed plans for remediation within Defra’s IT estate, as this information could indicate which systems are at risk and may highlight potential security vulnerabilities.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 15:08:57 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1701576

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Sewage: Pollution
	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 he is taking to ensure water companies are held accountable for sewage discharge.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22112
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government is clear that the amount of sewage discharged into our waters is unacceptable. We will not let companies get away with illegal activity and we have taken a series of actions to ensure that where breaches, are found companies will be held to account.</p><p> </p><p>Government directed water companies to increase their storm overflow monitoring in 2013 and achieved 100% coverage before the end of 2023.</p><p> </p><p>Meeting this target is a significant achievement in creating positive environmental change and holding water companies to account. The wealth of data collected from these monitors will ensure that we know the full extent to the problem – increasing transparency, revealing the worst-offending overflows, and enabling regulators to continue to hold polluters to account.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency can now impose unlimited penalties on water companies for a wider range of offenses following Government’s changes to broaden of the scope of the existing civil sanctions regime and remove the previous cap on penalties.</p><p> </p><p>The Government also has recently announced a consultation to ban water bosses’ bonuses when criminal breaches have occurred, quadrupled company inspections- by the end of March 2025, fast-tracked £180m investment to cut spills, and launched a whistleblowing portal for water company workers to report breaches.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 23/04/2024 17:41:34 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1701578

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Cats and Dogs: Smuggling
	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 resources allocated to enforcement agencies responsible for checking pets entering the UK to effectively counter puppy and kitten smuggling.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22114
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Defra regularly engages with enforcement agencies regarding tackling illegal pet smuggling and appropriate resourcing.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities and the Animal and Plant Health Agency are responsible for enforcing pet travel and commercial import requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Authorised carriers and pet checkers have the delegated responsibility for conducting pet checks on non-commercial movements. They can refuse travel for non-compliant animals or share intelligence with the Animal and Plant Health Agency who can intercept at the port or border if non-compliance is suspected.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:25:13 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1701579

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Cats and Dogs: Imports
	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 discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential ban on importing dogs and cats under the age of six months; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that ban on levels of illegal pet trade.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	22115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Defra regularly engages with relevant stakeholders, on tackling the illegal pet trade, including prohibiting the import of puppies and kittens under the age of six months.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP 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 puppies under six months old. By its very nature, it is difficult to assess the full extent of the illegal pet trade. The measures in the Bill will close loopholes ​exploited by ​unscrupulous traders, help reduce the low welfare movement of pets into Great Britain and crack down on the illegal smuggling of dogs and puppies.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 17:20:51 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1701614

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Rivers: Environment Protection
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce statutory protection for chalk streams.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
	uin	HL3845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>We have already brought forward changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act to help better protect chalk streams by adding chalk streams into the definitions of ‘environmental protection’ and ‘natural environment’ in the Act. This means that chalk streams must be considered when undertaking environmental assessments in the future, thereby recognising the value of these distinctive habitats. Also, chalk streams are now defined as priority sites in the government’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan with a target to improve 75% of storm overflows discharging to high priority sites by 2035.</p><p> </p><p>We are working very closely with colleagues from the Environment Agency, the Chair of the Chalk Stream Restoration Group and the Wildlife Trust on the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack. The Recovery Pack will make a number of recommendations for government to tackle to restore and protect our chalk streams.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:44:12 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4297 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

1701620

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Hedges and Ditches: Environment Protection
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following their consultation last year, whether they plan to introduce legislation to protect hedgerows this spring and during the bird breeding season.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Quin
	uin	HL3851
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Following overwhelming support to our consultation last summer, which received almost 9,000 responses, on 16 April the Government laid before Parliament new regulations that will place management practices for hedgerows on agricultural land into legislation. These practices include a cutting ban between 1 March and 31 August to protect nesting birds during this period, and a 2m buffer strip around a hedge where green cover must be established and maintained to protect the health of the hedge and the wildlife that use it.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:43:38 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	518 label Biography information for Baroness Quin

1700737

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of flooding on farmland on the likelihood of food shortages and loss of farm income.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL3773
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK agricultural sector is highly resilient and adaptable and operates in an open market with the value of commodities established by those in the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>The recent prolonged period of wet weather has impacted the UK arable and livestock sectors in several ways. These include late/limited planting opportunities for arable and horticulture crops; delayed turn out of grazing animals and the associated risk of diseases in keeping animals housed indoors for longer periods than usual, concerns about the potential scarcity and cost of straw; a build-up of stored slurry and reduced application opportunities; and wider concerns about the impact on mental health of farmers. Yields and productivity will also vary depending on individual farmer decisions, region, area and in the case of the arable sector, crop and soil type amongst other factors.</p><p> </p><p>A number of individual farms have clearly been affected by the wet weather. While the current market assessment is that there may be implications over the coming months for certain commodities, particularly in the expected yield and quality of several arable crops this summer/autumn, it is still too early to predict the full impact on domestic food production, especially if the weather improves in the coming weeks.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor the on-going situation, working closely with the industry and through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG). The UK AMMG held an interim meeting on 16 April to specifically consider the impacts of the weather on each commodity sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to provide farmers support to recover from uninsurable damage with grants of between £500 and £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was before exceptional flooding of Storm Henk. The fund was initially opened in nine English local authority areas where the Flood Recovery Framework has been activated to help farms which have experienced the highest levels of flooding. Eligibility for the Fund is actively under review.</p><p> </p><p>This forms part of a package of support available to farmers through the Flood Recovery Framework, including a grant of up to £2,500 through the Business Recovery Grant Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years. It examines trends relevant to food security to present the best available understanding. The report was last published in December 2021 and will next be published by December 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Starting this year, we are strengthening our food security monitoring by producing the Annual Food Security Index. This will complement the UKFSR with a shorter and more regular report. The first version will be published at the Farm to Fork Summit in the Spring.</p><p> </p><p>The next UKFSR, which will be published later this year, will include analysis on the risk of flooding to food security as part of its assessment of longer-term climate-related trends.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller grouped question UIN HL3774 HL3775 question first answered 24/04/2024 13:45:13 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1700738

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Agriculture: Floods
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to help farmers deal with unrecoverable losses from flooding on farmland, and the loss of crops and livestock.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL3774
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK agricultural sector is highly resilient and adaptable and operates in an open market with the value of commodities established by those in the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>The recent prolonged period of wet weather has impacted the UK arable and livestock sectors in several ways. These include late/limited planting opportunities for arable and horticulture crops; delayed turn out of grazing animals and the associated risk of diseases in keeping animals housed indoors for longer periods than usual, concerns about the potential scarcity and cost of straw; a build-up of stored slurry and reduced application opportunities; and wider concerns about the impact on mental health of farmers. Yields and productivity will also vary depending on individual farmer decisions, region, area and in the case of the arable sector, crop and soil type amongst other factors.</p><p> </p><p>A number of individual farms have clearly been affected by the wet weather. While the current market assessment is that there may be implications over the coming months for certain commodities, particularly in the expected yield and quality of several arable crops this summer/autumn, it is still too early to predict the full impact on domestic food production, especially if the weather improves in the coming weeks.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor the on-going situation, working closely with the industry and through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG). The UK AMMG held an interim meeting on 16 April to specifically consider the impacts of the weather on each commodity sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to provide farmers support to recover from uninsurable damage with grants of between £500 and £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was before exceptional flooding of Storm Henk. The fund was initially opened in nine English local authority areas where the Flood Recovery Framework has been activated to help farms which have experienced the highest levels of flooding. Eligibility for the Fund is actively under review.</p><p> </p><p>This forms part of a package of support available to farmers through the Flood Recovery Framework, including a grant of up to £2,500 through the Business Recovery Grant Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years. It examines trends relevant to food security to present the best available understanding. The report was last published in December 2021 and will next be published by December 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Starting this year, we are strengthening our food security monitoring by producing the Annual Food Security Index. This will complement the UKFSR with a shorter and more regular report. The first version will be published at the Farm to Fork Summit in the Spring.</p><p> </p><p>The next UKFSR, which will be published later this year, will include analysis on the risk of flooding to food security as part of its assessment of longer-term climate-related trends.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller grouped question UIN HL3773 HL3775 question first answered 24/04/2024 13:45:13 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1700739

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Agriculture: Floods
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to food security and farm productivity of the ongoing flooding on farmland across large parts of the country, and steps they intend to take to secure a steady supply of affordable vegetables and meat from UK sources.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL3775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK agricultural sector is highly resilient and adaptable and operates in an open market with the value of commodities established by those in the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>The recent prolonged period of wet weather has impacted the UK arable and livestock sectors in several ways. These include late/limited planting opportunities for arable and horticulture crops; delayed turn out of grazing animals and the associated risk of diseases in keeping animals housed indoors for longer periods than usual, concerns about the potential scarcity and cost of straw; a build-up of stored slurry and reduced application opportunities; and wider concerns about the impact on mental health of farmers. Yields and productivity will also vary depending on individual farmer decisions, region, area and in the case of the arable sector, crop and soil type amongst other factors.</p><p> </p><p>A number of individual farms have clearly been affected by the wet weather. While the current market assessment is that there may be implications over the coming months for certain commodities, particularly in the expected yield and quality of several arable crops this summer/autumn, it is still too early to predict the full impact on domestic food production, especially if the weather improves in the coming weeks.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor the on-going situation, working closely with the industry and through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG). The UK AMMG held an interim meeting on 16 April to specifically consider the impacts of the weather on each commodity sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to provide farmers support to recover from uninsurable damage with grants of between £500 and £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was before exceptional flooding of Storm Henk. The fund was initially opened in nine English local authority areas where the Flood Recovery Framework has been activated to help farms which have experienced the highest levels of flooding. Eligibility for the Fund is actively under review.</p><p> </p><p>This forms part of a package of support available to farmers through the Flood Recovery Framework, including a grant of up to £2,500 through the Business Recovery Grant Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years. It examines trends relevant to food security to present the best available understanding. The report was last published in December 2021 and will next be published by December 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Starting this year, we are strengthening our food security monitoring by producing the Annual Food Security Index. This will complement the UKFSR with a shorter and more regular report. The first version will be published at the Farm to Fork Summit in the Spring.</p><p> </p><p>The next UKFSR, which will be published later this year, will include analysis on the risk of flooding to food security as part of its assessment of longer-term climate-related trends.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller grouped question UIN HL3773 HL3774 question first answered 24/04/2024 13:45:13 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1700741

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Floods: Somerset
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Somerset Levels' resilience to flooding during the winter of 2023–24.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL3780
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Catchments like the Brue on the Somerset Levels &amp; Moors have seen record breaking conditions. Hundreds of properties have been flooded across Somerset and the Lead Local Flood Authority (Somerset Council) is planning to publish 11 Section 19 flooding reports.</p><p>Protecting some communities on the Somerset Levels and Moors from flooding is reliant on careful management of water levels, the storage and pumping of water from the moors, mobilisation of enhanced pumping capacity as well as targeted water injection dredging and the delivery of further flood/drought risk management interventions. Continued operation and maintenance of flood risk structures and equipment is essential to manage the risk. Future investment needs to factor in climatic change and help reach net zero.</p><p>Led by the Environment Agency, tens of millions are being invested in flood storage reservoirs to ensure they are safe and the Bridgwater tidal barrier will reduce tidal flood risk to 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses. The detailed design is complete and enabling works are underway.</p><p>The natural geography of the Somerset Levels and Moors, in combination with climate change, indicates communities and businesses must remain prepared for flooding. The Somerset Rivers Authority Partnership, which has recently consulted on and published a new 10-year strategy, is helping Flood risk management authorities to work together so the Levels and Moors become a more climate resilient place.</p><p>The Government’s drive to tackle climate change, alongside exiting the EU is delivering an evolution of environmental, flood risk and farming policy. This change is presenting tangible economic and environmental opportunities for the communities living and working on the Levels and Moors in this pump drained landscape.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:45:51 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1700742

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Hornets
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the spread of reported Asian hornet nesting sites in England since 2019.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL3781
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>A risk assessment for Asian hornet was completed in 2011. The <a href="https://www.nonnativespecies.org/assets/Uploads/RA_Vespa_velutina_Asian_Hornet.pdf" target="_blank">risk assessment</a> concluded that there were multiple pathways through which Asian hornet could arrive in England and therefore that entry was very likely. Several areas were identified where Asian hornet incursions were thought to be most likely and this included Southern English counties, coastal regions, open areas near fresh water and areas close to ports and airports.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2019 there have been 80 Asian hornet nests located and destroyed in Great Britain with 77 of these nests located in the South of England.</p><p> </p><p>In 2023 there was a large increase in the number of nests when compared to all previous years, with 72 nests located and destroyed. The majority of the nests were located in the South-East (62), while 8 were located in the South and South-West and 2 were located in the North of England.</p><p> </p><p>We ask all members of the public to be vigilant for sightings of Asian hornet during the peak season (June-October) as Asian hornets are known to be an effective hitch hiker and may be spotted anywhere across the country.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 19/04/2024 13:40:59 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name HL3781 attachment.pdf title Risk Assessment
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1700743

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Hornets
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the spread of Asian hornets on the welfare of (1) honey bees, and (2) other insect populations, in England; and what action they are taking to prevent the further spread of this invasive species.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL3782
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 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 these insects. To date rapid action has been taken in the UK to find and destroy Asian hornet nests.</p><p> </p><p>In 2023 a total of 72 nests were located and destroyed, the majority of these were located in the South-East (62). The National Bee Unit (NBU), part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, rapidly located and destroyed the nests so we would expect any impacts on honey bee colonies and other pollinators to be small and localised.</p><p> </p><p>From the analysis of nests found in 2023, a number of areas were identified where there is a low risk that Asian hornet queens may have overwintered. To address this, the NBU is carrying out spring trapping and working collaboratively with stakeholders to monitor traps at locations across Kent, East Sussex, Devon and North Yorkshire.</p><p> </p><p>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 printed Lord Benyon question first answered 19/04/2024 13:40:12 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1700745

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Biodiversity
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in reforming incentives, including subsidies for ecologically harmful activities, as required under Target 18 of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
	tabling member printed	Lord Randall of Uxbridge
	uin	HL3785
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>In May 2024, the UK plans to publish its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which will set out national targets and policies for implementing targets in the Global Biodiversity Framework, including Target 18. This will include a target to identify any incentives and subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity. The UK already has a positive story to tell on reforming incentives through our work to deliver the Agricultural Transition. Our Environmental Land Management schemes will incentivise farmers to improve biodiversity, soil health and air and water quality, reduce agricultural emissions, restore peatland, and establish and restore woodlands and forests.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 19/04/2024 13:39:37 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	209 label Biography information for Lord Randall of Uxbridge

1700746

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Fishing Catches: Conservation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies prohibits fuel subsidies for fleets and vessels catching depleted fish stocks in UK waters.
	tabling member printed	Lord Randall of Uxbridge
	uin	HL3786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies prohibits specific subsidies, including specific fuel subsidies, for fishing or fishing related activities regarding an overfished stock. The UK does not provide specific fuel subsidies to the UK fishing fleet.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:46:10 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	209 label Biography information for Lord Randall of Uxbridge