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1488392

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Government Assistance
	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 the Government is taking to support farmers in (a) Wiltshire and (b) the UK with rising costs.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	35008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2022 answer text <p>Farming in England is going through the biggest change in a generation. These unprecedented times mean that it is all the more important that the Government's approach to working with the farming sector changes too. Defra is continuing to improve its policies and services, making them more effective, fairer, flexible, accessible and more workable for farmers. The Government has announced a range of measures in England in response to the turbulence of the current market.</p><p>In response to the global rising costs around the price of fertiliser, Defra released new guidance to help farmers in limiting their use of slurry and other farmyard manure at certain times of the year.</p><p>Defra also announced changes to the use of urea fertiliser - delaying a planned industry farm assurance scheme which was due to start this year by at least a year. This will help farmers to manage their costs, giving them more time to adapt.</p><p>Defra has set up a Fertiliser Taskforce to address the impact of global supply pressures on farming, seeking to improve market confidence, whilst providing famers with the information they need to make business decisions on fertiliser use.</p><p>Additionally, Defra announced a permanent change to the way we make payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). We know that the price of agricultural commodities has always been closely correlated to energy prices - meaning farmers carry an increased risk on their profit and loss account, creating increased pressure on short term cash flow. We will now make BPS payments in two instalments (one from the end of July, the other December). This will give farm businesses an advanced injection of cash - with the hope of enabling farmers to make business decisions with more confidence in these uncertain times. To provide further support we have also increased Countryside Stewardship rates by an average of 30%.</p><p>Farmers are now able to apply for funding under the Sustainable Farming Incentive. The initial offer pays farmers for taking care of their soil or assessing the condition of moorland. We have to set out plans to rollout payments for actions related to nutrient management, hedgerows and integrated pest management, and will confirm the full details of these standards before the end of the year.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 02/08/2022 09:12:45 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

1488416

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture and Food Supply: Climate Change
	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 plans he has to (a) take steps to mitigate the impact of climate change on (i) agriculture and (ii) global food security and (b) revitalise the international trade of food in the context of the effect on global food production of (A) the international response to covid-19 and (B) global warming.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	35022
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to take action to mitigate climate change and to adapt to its impact. We are introducing three schemes that reward environmental benefits: the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery. Together, these schemes are intended to provide a powerful vehicle for achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting our rural economy. Through them, farmers and other land managers may enter into agreements to be paid for delivering public goods including adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also published the Net Zero Strategy which sets the UK on a clear path to net zero by 2050 and set out key commitments such as ensuring 75% of farmers in England will be engaged in low carbon practices by 2030, rising to 85% by 2035. More recently in the Food Strategy we have set out the funding available for innovation in farming and agriculture.</p><p> </p><p>The UK announced an Agriculture Breakthrough goal at COP26 - &quot;to make climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture the most attractive and widely adopted option for farmers everywhere by 2030&quot; - and the intention to build country support for this in 2022. This is part of the Breakthrough Agenda which was launched at the COP26 World Leaders Summit. The Breakthrough Agenda is a commitment from countries to work together internationally this decade to accelerate the development and deployment of the clean technologies needed to meet our Paris climate goals, ensuring they are affordable and accessible for all.</p><p> </p><p>The UK provides funding to the CGIAR, the world's leading agricultural science and innovation organisation, which delivers cutting edge technology and evidence-based solutions to tackle global challenges in the food system, saving and improving millions of lives. CGIAR research is projected to deliver a reduction of 0.6 gigatonnes CO2e each year by 2030. CGIAR rice innovations alone have scope to reduce global emissions by 0.5% - equivalent to 40% of total UK emissions.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also announced specific measures to support farmers with rising input costs including changes to statutory guidance to the &quot;Farming Rules for Water&quot;; increased grants funding to boost R&amp;D; and bringing the Basic Payment Scheme forward so that 50% of its payments are made this summer to improve cash flow for farmers.</p><p> </p><p>The Food Standards Agency has provided guidance to Trading Standards Officers and businesses setting out how flexibility in enforcement of labelling rules may be applied to alleviate supply challenges and maintain supply of foods into retail. Feedback has been that industry welcomes these actions, and the main ask going forward is for us to carefully review the supply situation before reverting to a 'full compliance' model of enforcement.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is taking a number of actions to maintain food security and reduce pressures on prices. The Government launched a package of measures to reduce the impact of cost of living concerns, including: nine new GMO authorisations to provide alternative sources for maize, removing tariffs on US maize, bringing forward BPS payments for farmers and delaying measures that would have imposed costs on businesses.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, G7 Leaders have pledged to provide increased humanitarian assistance with priority recipients should include countries facing acute food insecurity (for example Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen), and countries facing potential food riots (such as Egypt).</p><p> </p><p>The UK’s ambitious Free Trade Agreement programme diversifies sources of supply, contributes to our food security and resilience and supplements our strong domestic production.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 01/08/2022 08:42:51 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

523478

	registered interest
	date	07/06/2016
	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, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the conservation of nestling swifts in the demolition or renovation of old housing estates.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	39574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2016 answer text <p>Natural England has part funded the production of book called <em>Designing for Biodiversity: A Technical Guide for New and Existing Buildings.</em> The publication includes detailed advice on provision for swifts (as well as a range of other species) in new developments, which local authorities may find useful.</p><p> </p><p>No specific guidance has been issued to local authorities on the conservation of nestling swifts in the demolition or renovation of old housing estates.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 14/06/2016 11:34:22 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

800622

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2017
	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: Animal Breeding
	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 modernise the licensing scheme for dog breeding and selling to improve the welfare of dogs.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	117243
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2017 answer text <p>In February, Defra published its proposals to update the laws that regulate the breeding and selling of dogs to improve their welfare. The proposals are currently being finalised and a Statutory Instrument should be laid before Parliament next year.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 07/12/2017 19:05:40 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

767485

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2017
	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	Bees: Neonicotinoids
	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 research his Department has recently conducted into the effects of neonicotinoids on the health of the UK bee population.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	106549
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/10/2017 answer text <p>Defra has supported a range of research relevant to improving understanding of the effects of neonicotinoids (and other pesticides) on bees. Recently completed work includes studies on: quantifying the exposure of bumblebees to neonicotinoids and mixtures of pesticides (commenced 2013), interpreting pesticide residues in honeybees (published 2015), using radio-frequency identification devices to assess effects of pesticides on foraging bees (commenced 2013), and protection goals for bee colonies (commenced 2015).</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 18/10/2017 16:33:24 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

756710

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2017
	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 Welfare: Sentencing
	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 assess the feasibility of raising the maximum sanction to five years in prison for animal cruelty sentences in England and Wales to align sentences with Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	7598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>Anyone who is cruel to an animal or does not provide for its welfare needs may be banned from owning animals, given an unlimited fine or sent to prison. We are aware of the penalties which apply in other parts of the United Kingdom. As the Secretary of State told the House on 20 July, we are actively reviewing penalties in England.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 12/09/2017 15:50:48 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

756712

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2017
	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	Fisheries
	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 effect of banning the landing of bass by fixed nets on reducing the incidence of accidental catching of those fish.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	8441
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>The EU bass measures that apply this year are intended to further reduce the landings of bass across all fishing gear groups – trawl, hook and line, and netting (both fixed and drift) as Member States work together to recover this important stock. Limited derogations from a complete ban were agreed for application this year, including a monthly limit of 250kg per eligible vessel to allow for limited landings of unavoidable by-catches when using fixed gillnets to catch fish other than bass.</p><p> </p><p>In the first six months of this year, we have seen a reduction of bass landings in the UK fleet netting gear group of 54% from the 2011-13 baseline average in the same period, i.e. 54 tonnes landed from January to June, down from 117 tonnes in the earlier six month baseline average.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 12/09/2017 12:37:56 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

675484

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2017
	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: Ammonia
	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 has been made of including the permeable ammonia-recycling crust within the Farming Ammonia Reduction Grant.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	60899
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2017 answer text <p>In order to deliver grants to farmers under the scheme by the European Commission’s deadline of 30 September 2017, it was necessary to use equipment that had already been costed by Natural England. The permeable ammonia-recycling crust was not on the list of equipment that had been previously costed.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 25/01/2017 15:41:41 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

601063

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2016
	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	Dangerous Dogs: Prosecutions
	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 people in (a) the UK and (b) Wiltshire have been prosecuted under sections (a) 1(3), (b) 3(1) and (c) 3(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in (i) 2015 and (ii) 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	48656
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2016 answer text <p>The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts in 2015 for offences, under the requested sections of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, in England and Wales, and specifically for Wiltshire, is in the table below. Data for 2016 is not yet available.</p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="5"><p>Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under selected sections of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, England and Wales (with breakdown for Wiltshire Police Force Area), 2015 <sup>(1)(2)</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Section of Act</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>Coverage</p></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3"><p>Section 1(3)</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>England and Wales</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>199</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p><em>of which</em></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Wiltshire</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3"><p>Section 3(1)</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>England and Wales</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>1,501</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p><em>of which</em></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Wiltshire</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>11</p></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3"><p>Section 3(3)</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>England and Wales</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p><em>of which</em></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Wiltshire</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>-</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>'-' = Nil</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><p>(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><p>(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><p>Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><p>Ref: 557-16 PQC 48656</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 20/10/2016 14:56:25 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan

528036

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2016
	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: Wiltshire
	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 proportion of badgers exterminated through culling in Wiltshire were found to carry bovine TB in all instances in which tests were carried out in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Chippenham
	tabling member printed	Michelle Donelan
	uin	41028
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2016 answer text <p>Natural England has not licensed the killing of badgers in Wiltshire for the purpose of preventing the spread of bovine TB in the last five years.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 28/06/2016 11:30:20 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4530 label Biography information for Michelle Donelan