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1124409

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2019
	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	Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cattle have been tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and then following slaughter have been negative on post-mortem testing; and what progress has been made in producing an accurate test before cattle are slaughtered.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Golding
	uin	HL15458
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>The early detection and removal of tuberculosis (TB)-infected cattle before they develop advanced pathology and/or clinical signs of the disease (and thus become highly infectious) is a key element of bovine TB eradication programmes, including England’s 25 Year Bovine TB Strategy. To that effect, we use ante-mortem tests that measure the animals’ immune response to infection with the bovine TB bacterium (<em>Mycobacterium bovis – M. bovis</em>), rather than rely on direct detection methods.</p><p> </p><p>The single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test, commonly known as the ‘skin test’, together with the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), is the legal standard approved in the EU legislation for the diagnosis of TB in live cattle in the UK. As with cases of TB in humans, only a proportion of those animals infected with <em>M. bovis</em> and reacting to a tuberculin skin test or IGRA display gross lesions of TB when subjected to post-mortem meat inspection in the slaughterhouse.</p><p> </p><p>In 2017 (the last year for which an analysis of post-mortem findings is available), approximately 60% of the 32,000 cattle compulsorily removed for bovine TB control reasons in England as skin test reactors or IGRA positives did not have visible lesions of TB on post-mortem and were also negative for <em>M. bovis</em> on bacteriological culture (where performed).</p><p> </p><p>Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are constantly striving for new ways to maximise the effectiveness of TB testing of cattle to achieve the objectives of the Strategy. APHA may exceptionally authorise the private use of non-validated diagnostic tests for bovine TB in herds where the disease is persistent, in order to help detect additional infected animals that may have been missed by the approved official tests (rather than to negate a positive result to such tests). A policy position paper on non-validated diagnostics for TB in cattle is now available on the APHA Vet Gateway (<a href="http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/index.htm" target="_blank">http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/index.htm</a>).</p><p> </p><p>Over £4 million was allocated to TB research and development in 2018/19, with the anticipation of a similar spend this financial year. The majority of these finds are being invested in improving diagnostic tests alongside vaccine development. However, validation for a new test to World Organisation for Animal Health standards would only lead to official adoption if it demonstrated proven advantages in the detection of disease alongside the current test portfolio.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/05/2019 16:25:10 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	281 label Biography information for Baroness Golding

1124633

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of eggs produced in the UK for enriched colony systems in 2019.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL15501
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>UK Packing Station egg throughput figures are collated quarterly and cover the vast majority of total eggs produced. Eggs produced from hens in enriched colony systems accounted for 42% of the total throughput in the first quarter of 2019 in the UK. This equates to 1.2 billion eggs.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/05/2019 16:44:27 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1124635

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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	Beavers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the introduction of beavers in the UK; and of the risk of flooding as a result of their introduction.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL15503
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is engaged with a number of projects to further our understanding of the impact of beavers on the environment and flooding. We also maintain contact with the Scottish Government to learn from its experience on the River Tay.</p><p> </p><p>The trial reintroduction of beavers on the River Otter in Devon, which started in 2015, will conclude in 2020. The latest annual report from this trial, undertaken by the Devon Wildlife Trust, highlights assessments made on water flows and flood risks. Defra will assess the River Otter trial in 2020 and will seek advice from Natural England.</p><p> </p><p>The Forestry Commission is currently undertaking two enclosed trial releases which will contribute to our understanding of the impacts of beavers on water flow and surrounding ecology.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency is working with a number of projects that are gathering evidence from beaver trial sites to improve our understanding of the opportunities and implications for flood risk management. Natural England and the Environment Agency are working with the University of Exeter to understand how beavers affect water flow in rivers. The results of these trials will inform decisions on future reintroductions of beavers in England</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 17/05/2019 12:26:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1124636

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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	Hill Farming
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to hill farmers.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL15504
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2019 answer text <p>Upland farmers are eligible to receive payments under the Common Agricultural Policy's Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). We will pay Direct Payments for the 2019 scheme year on the same basis as for 2018 and plan to allocate the money paid in Direct Payments for 2020 in much the same way that we do now.</p><p> </p><p>Upland farmers can also apply for a Countryside Stewardship agreement, and many receive support through Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship. The current round of Countryside Stewardship is open for applications until 31 July. This includes a specific Wildlife offer for Upland farmers. Capital grants are also available through the Hedgerow and Boundaries grant, which closed for applications on 3 May.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the Parliament, expected in 2022. The figure includes all EU and Exchequer funding provided for farm support under both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. Furthermore, all Pillar 2 agreements signed by 31 December 2020 will be funded for their lifetime.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 17/05/2019 12:27:30 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1124654

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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	Peat
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce regular reporting on the proportion of peat being sold in compost and used as a growing medium in horticulture.
	tabling member printed	Lord Teverson
	uin	HL15522
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>We are working with the industry to put in place a replacement for our previous monitoring of peat use in growing media, which last reported in 2016.</p><p> </p><p>The 2016 report showed that peat use in 1) the amateur sector (2020 target) was down 21% in 2015 compared to 2011, and 2) the professional grower sector (2030 target) was down 26% since 2011. Nevertheless, whilst progress had been made in reducing peat use, it appears to be stalling.</p><p> </p><p>We stated in the 25 Year Plan for the Environment that if by 2020 we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives, we will look at introducing further measures. We have been discussing how we should judge what constitutes “sufficient movement” away from peat use and what potential further measures could look like. These discussions are ongoing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15523 HL15524 question first answered 16/05/2019 16:34:42 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3789 label Biography information for Lord Teverson

1124655

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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	Peat
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress towards their voluntary targets for the phasing out of the use of peat from compost and horticulture for (1) 2020, and (2) 2030.
	tabling member printed	Lord Teverson
	uin	HL15523
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>We are working with the industry to put in place a replacement for our previous monitoring of peat use in growing media, which last reported in 2016.</p><p> </p><p>The 2016 report showed that peat use in 1) the amateur sector (2020 target) was down 21% in 2015 compared to 2011, and 2) the professional grower sector (2030 target) was down 26% since 2011. Nevertheless, whilst progress had been made in reducing peat use, it appears to be stalling.</p><p> </p><p>We stated in the 25 Year Plan for the Environment that if by 2020 we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives, we will look at introducing further measures. We have been discussing how we should judge what constitutes “sufficient movement” away from peat use and what potential further measures could look like. These discussions are ongoing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15522 HL15524 question first answered 16/05/2019 16:34:42 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3789 label Biography information for Lord Teverson

1124656

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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	Peat
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce mandatory targets for the phasing out of the use of peat for compost and horticulture; and whether any such targets will be earlier than the current voluntary targets.
	tabling member printed	Lord Teverson
	uin	HL15524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>We are working with the industry to put in place a replacement for our previous monitoring of peat use in growing media, which last reported in 2016.</p><p> </p><p>The 2016 report showed that peat use in 1) the amateur sector (2020 target) was down 21% in 2015 compared to 2011, and 2) the professional grower sector (2030 target) was down 26% since 2011. Nevertheless, whilst progress had been made in reducing peat use, it appears to be stalling.</p><p> </p><p>We stated in the 25 Year Plan for the Environment that if by 2020 we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives, we will look at introducing further measures. We have been discussing how we should judge what constitutes “sufficient movement” away from peat use and what potential further measures could look like. These discussions are ongoing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15522 HL15523 question first answered 16/05/2019 16:34:42 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3789 label Biography information for Lord Teverson

1124875

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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	Water Companies: Insolvency
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent retailers in the water market who sell to SME customers from failing.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL15550
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>When considering applications from potential retailers, Ofwat, the economic regulator for the water industry, considers whether it would have sufficient financial resources to finance its obligations under the law and to deliver its business plan. Once the retailer enters the market, it is for the retailer to ensure it operates efficiently and is able to continue to operate. In any functioning market some retailers will fail. If a retailer were to fail, as has been seen in other sectors, Ofwat would step in and ensure affected customers are allocated to a new supplier in a seamless way.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 20/05/2019 14:58:48 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1124876

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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	Water Companies: Competition
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment has been made by (1) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and (2) Ofwat of the (a) Scottish SME non-household retail water market, and (b) the English SME non-household retail water market.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL15551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (a) undertook some analysis of the Scottish SME non-household retail water market during the initial planning stages of opening up the English market; and (b) works closely with Ofwat as they review the English non-household retail market and its operation since opening, including with regard to SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat monitors and assesses the non-household retail water market in England on an ongoing basis. It commissioned customer research to gauge directly customers’ experiences of the market, including views on the interactions between the markets in England, Scotland and Wales. This information was published in July 2018 as the Ofwat <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ORS-final-report-Non-household-customer-insight-survey.pdf" target="_blank">customer insight survey</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat’s first annual assessment of the market, <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/State-of-the-market-report-2017-18-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Open for Business</a>, also published in July 2018, highlighted a number of areas in which to achieve better outcomes for business customers in England, including SMEs.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15552 question first answered 20/05/2019 15:51:11 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1124877

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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	Water Companies: Competition
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what research they have undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the Scottish non-household retail water market in encouraging switching by SMEs when compared with the English non-household retail water market.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL15552
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (a) undertook some analysis of the Scottish SME non-household retail water market during the initial planning stages of opening up the English market; and (b) works closely with Ofwat as they review the English non-household retail market and its operation since opening, including with regard to SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat monitors and assesses the non-household retail water market in England on an ongoing basis. It commissioned customer research to gauge directly customers’ experiences of the market, including views on the interactions between the markets in England, Scotland and Wales. This information was published in July 2018 as the Ofwat <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ORS-final-report-Non-household-customer-insight-survey.pdf" target="_blank">customer insight survey</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat’s first annual assessment of the market, <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/State-of-the-market-report-2017-18-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Open for Business</a>, also published in July 2018, highlighted a number of areas in which to achieve better outcomes for business customers in England, including SMEs.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15551 question first answered 20/05/2019 15:51:11 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering