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1141750

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Tree Planting
	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 has taken to increase the number of trees planted in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the UK.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	281585
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>Forestry is a devolved matter and these figures apply to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to planting 11 million trees this parliament, and to the shared aspiration of reaching 12% woodland cover in England by 2060.</p><p> </p><p>We have amended our main grant schemes to make applications easier by streamlining the application processes, opening the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation window all year round and reducing the threshold of applications from 30 hectares to 10 hectares for Woodland Carbon Fund applications. We have invested £5.7 million in the new Northern Forest; and announced a further £10 million for urban trees and £50 million for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme.</p><p> </p><p>We have planted approximately 16 million trees in England since 2010, of which approximately 437,000 have been planted across Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 09/09/2019 11:45:06 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1140854

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Pets: Tagging
	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 create a centrally accessible database logging pets' microchip numbers and date of entry into the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	280181
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>It is already a requirement for every dog in the UK to be identified by a microchip and its details to be recorded on a recognised database. This includes dogs imported from outside the UK. Defra will shortly be issuing a call for evidence on whether to introduce compulsory microchipping for all cats in England. Furthermore, all pets (cats, dogs and ferrets) entering Great Britain on approved routes have their microchip scanned and recorded by the carrier at the time of travel.</p><p> </p><p>We do not consider it necessary at this time to introduce an additional database along the lines proposed.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 06/09/2019 13:55:04 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1140855

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Pets: Animal Welfare
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all dog and cat rehoming centres are adequately regulated.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	280182
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>As with anyone who owns or keeps animals, rescue and rehoming centres are subject to the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which means they must provide for the animals’ welfare needs and protect them from pain, injury and disease. During the consultation on whether to ban the third party selling of puppies and kittens, carried out last year, we included a question about whether rescue and rehoming centres should be regulated. We need to be confident of the benefits and the impacts of any regulations placed on rescue and rehoming centres, particularly on some of the smaller rescues. We will put forward legislative proposals at the earliest possible point, once we have fully consulted with the sector and understood the impact of any proposals.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 06/09/2019 13:51:24 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1141254

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	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 steps his Department is taking to increase collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Agency and veterinary regulatory authorities in other countries to tackle provision of fake pet passports and veterinary certificates for dogs being imported into the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	280926
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of illegal dog and puppy imports very seriously. This is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to the smuggled dogs and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. Defra is working hard to tackle the problem through a comprehensive approach that seeks to target both the supply and demand of illegally imported dogs.</p><p> </p><p>International engagement is one aspect of this approach. It takes place through Defra, with input from APHA intelligence and expertise. Under Article 26 of EU Regulation 1/2005 (on the protection of animals during transport and related operations), Defra notify Member States of the origin of the transporter where a welfare issue with an import has been identified. We send these to notify the Member State so that they can take remedial action to ensure that the transporter complies in future. The notifications include details of passports and certificates. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has written to her counterparts in countries where illegally imported dogs typically originate, including (most recently) her counterparts in Hungary and Serbia. The issue also continues to be raised and discussed at EU CVO meetings.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 06/09/2019 15:38:28 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1141807

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Primates: Pets
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the scale of the problem of primates being kept and traded as pets in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	281683
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>There is no doubt that primates are complex creatures requiring specialist care. I recently met with the owner of a leading specialist primate rescue centre who informed me about the rising numbers they are having to take from private care. Given these issues I am looking at the options for banning the trade altogether.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, we have strict laws in place restricting the keeping of primates and action can be taken if a primate is being kept in poor welfare conditions. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare.</p><p> </p><p>The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-human Primates that provides essential information for any primate keeper on how to meet the welfare needs of the primates in their care. The Code is made under the 2006 Act and can be used as evidence in court in support of a prosecution made under the 2006 Act.</p><p> </p><p>If anyone has any concerns about the way a primate is being kept they should report to the relevant local authority, who have powers to investigate such issues, or to the RSPCA who can also investigate and take action.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to the animal welfare controls, the keeping of most primates requires a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWAA), which is issued by a local authority. The DWAA licence is primarily to ensure public safety is protected.</p><p> </p><p>The trade of primates is regulated through a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) licensing system. Under this system, the international, commercial trade of the most endangered primates is prohibited, except under exceptional circumstances. Whilst it is not in itself a welfare measure, CITES does contain welfare provisions for the transport, keeping and moving of animals, including primates.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 09/09/2019 16:47:13 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1141808

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Primates: Pets
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of further restricting the keeping of primates as pets beyond that set out in section 4 and section 9 the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	281684
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>There is no doubt that primates are complex creatures requiring specialist care. I recently met with the owner of a leading specialist primate rescue centre who informed me about the rising numbers they are having to take from private care. Given these issues I am looking at the options for banning the trade altogether.</p><p>In the meantime, we have strict laws in place restricting the keeping of primates and action can be taken if a primate is being kept in poor welfare conditions. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare.</p><p>The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-human Primates that provides essential information for any primate keeper on how to meet the welfare needs of the primates in their care. The Code is made under the 2006 Act and can be used as evidence in court in support of a prosecution made under the 2006 Act.</p><p>If anyone has any concerns about the way a primate is being kept they should report to the relevant local authority, who have powers to investigate such issues, or to the RSPCA who can also investigate and take action.</p><p>In addition to the animal welfare controls, the keeping of most primates requires a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWAA), which is issued by a local authority. The DWAA licence is primarily to ensure public safety is protected.</p><p>The trade of primates is regulated through a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) licensing system. Under this system, the international, commercial trade of the most endangered primates is prohibited, except under exceptional circumstances. Whilst it is not in itself a welfare measure, CITES does contain welfare provisions for the transport, keeping and moving of animals, including primates.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 09/09/2019 16:48:22 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1141871

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Eggs: 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 steps he is taking to ensure that imported liquid and powdered egg products are compliant with UK food standards after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Clwyd West
	tabling member printed	Mr David Jones
	uin	281660
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>Our high animal welfare, environmental and biosecurity standards are of critical importance to the UK and we are committed to ensuring those standards are maintained when we leave the EU. We have been clear that we will not water down our standards in pursuit of trade deals.</p><p> </p><p>As a member of the EU we share standards of biosecurity with other Member States. This has facilitated the free movement of these goods between Member States. In the short term those standards will not change. Furthermore, to ensure minimum disruption at the UK border, we will not introduce new border controls on these goods imported from the EU. Import requirements relating to welfare will also be retained.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure we remain vigilant, we will require advance notification of imports of high risk food and feed from the EU. This includes products of animal origin and high risk food and feed not of animal origin. The Food Standards Agency will be in a position to monitor those notifications so that, in the event of a food incident occurring involving imported food or feed, it will be able to respond effectively to safeguard public health by swiftly identifying the point of entry to the UK and the spread of a problem. We will also be reviewing our imports regime once we leave the EU.</p><p> </p><p>For imports from countries outside the EU we will maintain the current controls, and consignments of animal products will continue to be required to enter at UK Border Inspection Posts for veterinary checks. Notification will be required using the UK Import of Products, Animals and Food and Feed System. These controls will also apply to products of animal origin that come from outside the EU, but travel through the EU before arriving in the UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 05/09/2019 16:19:12 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1502 label Biography information for Mr David Jones

1141872

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Eggs: 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 the British Egg Industry Council on food safety standards for imported egg products after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Clwyd West
	tabling member printed	Mr David Jones
	uin	281661
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the British Egg Industry Council on food safety standards for imported egg products after the UK leaves the EU. Food safety policy is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 09/09/2019 13:47:08 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1502 label Biography information for Mr David Jones

1140930

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Donkeys: Animal Products
	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 (a) China and (b) countries in east Africa on ending the international trade in donkey skins; and what recent steps he has taken to help implement an international ban on the trade in donkey skins.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	280134
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/08/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the welfare of donkeys and other equids very seriously and has taken an active role in global efforts to monitor and strengthen welfare standards for these species. This included contributing to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Code chapter on <em>Welfare or Working Equids </em>adopted by OIE members in 2016, which provides species specific guidance to complement the general welfare principles applying to all animals. In addition we have contributed to the EU voluntary initiative developing guidance on responsible ownership and care of equidae. Influencing the raising of global standards through international fora can be an effective and sustainable way to address these issues across the world and therefore have a broader impact than bilateral meetings with particular countries. This is part of the Government’s strong commitment to strengthening welfare standards.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 08/08/2019 10:43:49 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1140951

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Livestock: Electromagnetic Fields
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has commissioned research on the potential effect of electro-magnetic waves on levels of premature deaths in farm animals.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	280136
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/08/2019 answer text <p>Defra manages an active programme of research to support the health and welfare of livestock. The research programme focusses on prevention and control of infectious diseases as well as covering animal welfare issues. There is no current research funded on electro-magnetic waves and their potential impact from this programme.</p><p> </p><p>Defra does have a regular, consistent systematic process for identifying and assessing new threats to animal health and welfare through the Veterinary Risk Group and the issue has not been raised which could inform future research requirements.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 08/08/2019 10:50:47 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew