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816829

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2018
	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	Xylella: Disease 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 steps his Department is taking to prevent the spread of Xylella through the importation of infected plants.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	John Spellar
	uin	121256
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2018 answer text <p>The threat that diseases such as Xylella pose to our country’s trees is a very real concern, for the landscape and for our economy. This is why in October last year, the Secretary of State wrote to European Commissioner Vytensis Andriukaitis to press for stronger EU protections against the disease, stating that we would be forced to take action if EU protections were not increased. The UK Government secured these increased protections in November 2017. Now, in addition to existing restrictions on host plants from high risk areas, inspections and testing are required for host plants moved anywhere within the EU. When we leave the EU we will have an opportunity to examine all our national biosecurity measures on plant imports to ensure they are as robust as possible to protect the UK against diseases like Xylella. This will significantly reduce the risk of the disease being brought to the UK.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 11/01/2018 18:57:42 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

733047

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	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	Xylella
	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 risk to wildlife in the UK from the plant disease Xylella fastidiosa; if he will make it his policy to invoke the precautionary principle to introduce a moratorium on the import of all live plants other than those grown through propagation in sterile conditions; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	1404
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2017 answer text <p>Keeping our plants and trees healthy is important for our economy, the environment and our health, and our robust approach to protecting against plant health threats involves close collaboration with international partners. This will continue to be the case after we leave the European Union.</p><p> </p><p>Restrictions on the movement of high-risk host plants from the affected areas in the EU are already in place and full inspections take place on host plants from outside the EU. We are now pressing at an EU level for the protections against <em>Xylella fastidiosa </em>to be further strengthened and will continue to keep this issue under review nationally.</p><p> </p><p>Due to the rules of the Single Market, it is currently simpler for the UK to impose restrictions on the import of plants from outside the EU than it is on plants from within the EU where there is a threat to the UK. Within the EU, restrictions are decided at EU level, but outside the EU they can be decided at national level.</p><p> </p><p>Leaving the EU therefore provides an opportunity to examine how we can introduce stricter biosecurity measures on imports from remaining Member States, providing better protection against these serious threats.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 1415 question first answered 07/07/2017 15:51:59 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

857032

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2018
	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	Xylella
	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 with the horticulture industry to contain the spread of xylella fastidiosa.
	tabling member constituency	East Antrim
	tabling member printed	Sammy Wilson
	uin	131544
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2018 answer text <p><em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> is not present in the UK and we have been proactive in engaging with the horticultural industry about the risks from this disease. We appreciate that it has a crucial role to play in minimising the risk of its introduction. In September 2017 the Chief Plant Health Officer wrote to businesses growing and trading host plants to encourage good biosecurity and careful sourcing of plants. Biosecurity guidance has also been developed, with bespoke guidance produced for industry.</p><p> </p><p>We have published information about <em>Xylella</em> on the Plant Health Portal and provide frequent updates to industry groups and individual businesses. We have, in association with the Horticultural Trades Association and the National Farmers Union, developed guidance on <em>Xylella</em> host plants to encourage good practice when sourcing plants. The industry has responded positively to this engagement, and we have noted that many retailers and nurseries are changing their buying behaviours to go above and beyond the minimum requirements. Stakeholder groups have also developed their own initiatives, including through the Horticultural Trades Association and Royal Horticultural Society, to ensure that best practice approaches are adopted by their members and at their events.</p><p> </p><p><em>Xylella</em> is present in some other EU Member States, and we are have strongly pressed for the EU to strengthen measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Restrictions on the import and movement of high risk host plants were increased through new EU emergency legislation, which took effect in December. The UK pushed hard for this legislation to be put in place, including Defra’s Secretary of State writing to the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytensis Andriukaitis to urge stronger action.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 16/03/2018 12:16:40 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1593 label Biography information for Sammy Wilson

1027255

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2018
	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	Wood-burning Stoves: Air 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 reduce pollution caused by wood-burning stoves.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	202820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/12/2018 answer text <p>Domestic wood and coal burning are the single largest contributors to our harmful particulate matter (PM) emissions. These sources accounted for 38% of total PM2.5 emissions in 2015 and are forecast to account for 41% by 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The draft Clean Air Strategy, which we consulted on earlier this year, included plans to introduce legislation in England to phase out the most polluting domestic fuels. It also included plans to ensure that European Ecodesign standards for stoves will continue to be met, ensuring that only the cleanest stoves will be available to buy and install; and proposals for further powers for local Government in areas with an air pollution problem.</p><p> </p><p>The final strategy setting out our aims will be published in early 2019.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 27/12/2018 14:39:17 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

539533

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2016
	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	Wood-burning Stoves: Air 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 research her Department has conducted or assessed on the effect of wood-burning stoves on air pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	43047
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2016 answer text <p>Defra has commissioned its independent Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) to assess the potential air quality impacts of biomass combustion, including from domestic wood burning stoves. The report reviews the current evidence base and provides recommendations for further assessment. The report will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>Air quality is monitored and assessed on an ongoing basis. The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory is updated annually and compiles data on total UK air pollutant emissions from a broad range of sources. This includes estimates of emissions from domestic combustion.</p><p> </p><p>Defra undertakes air quality modelling to assess the impact emissions have on concentrations of air pollutants in the UK. This is carried out on an annual basis.</p><p> </p><p>Defra also commissioned research aimed at testing different measurement techniques on stoves to inform analysis on the impacts of the Eco-design Directive, which will provide new Particulate Matter emission limits for domestic stoves and boilers. This research will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/07/2016 08:53:02 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

691870

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2017
	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	Wood-burning Stoves: Air 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 assessment she has made of the effect on the environment of wood-burning stoves.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	64585
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2017 answer text <p>Our National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory estimates that domestic combustion contributes 38% to our PM emissions. Our assessment finds the majority of this is from wood burning, either on an open fire or closed stove.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 23/02/2017 14:47:34 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

755777

	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	Wood-burning Stoves: Air 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 estimate the Government has made of the change in the level of harmful emissions, such as PM2.5, as a result of more people using wood-burning stoves and chimneys in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Chesterfield
	tabling member printed	Toby Perkins
	uin	7396
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>Our most recent assessment shows that domestic solid fuel burning contributed 40% (42 kilotonnes) of total PM<sub>2.5</sub> emissions in the UK during 2015, with domestic wood burning alone accounting for 35% (37 kilotonnes). This compares with 39 kilotonnes (solid fuels) and 33 kilotonnes (wood) in 2014 and 45 kilotonnes (solid fuels) and 40 kilotonnes (wood) in 2013.</p><p>Evidence shows that particulate matter (PM) of 2.5 microns in diameter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) and smaller can have detrimental effects on health. Small particles from smoke which are formed when wood is burned can get into the lungs and blood and be transported around the body, where they have a variety of detrimental health effects. It is, however, difficult to assess the increase in risk to public health that is associated with domestic wood burning alone.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 7481 question first answered 12/09/2017 12:56:49 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	3952 label Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins

795292

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2017
	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	Wood-burning Stoves: Air 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, whether his Department has issued guidance on the use of wood-burning stoves and levels of pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	115713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2017 answer text <p>Defra recently provided all local councils with a guidance leaflet entitled ‘Open fires and wood burning stoves – A practical guide’ for distribution in their local areas. This provides simple steps that can be followed to reduce the levels of pollution from these sources.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 05/12/2017 11:35:13 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

810223

	registered interest
	date	20/12/2017
	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	Wood-burning Stoves
	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 her Department has to discourage the use of wood-burning stoves.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol West
	tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
	uin	120689
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/01/2018 answer text <p>Around 40% of the UK’s primary emissions of harmful particulate matter come from domestic burning of wood and coal.</p><p> </p><p>To tackle this we are raising consumer awareness about the impact of burning wet wood on health and working with industry to help reduce harmful emissions by encouraging people to shift from using wet/unseasoned wood to dry wood, which can halve emissions of soot and smoke.</p><p> </p><p>We have recently distributed an advice leaflet on open fires and wood burning stoves to all local authorities which includes advice on burning less and the benefits of quality fuels, modern appliances and regular servicing as a means to reduce environmental impact.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 08/01/2018 16:16:21 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

937890

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2018
	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	Wood-burning Stoves
	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 8 January 2018 to Question 120689 on Wood-burning Stoves, what steps he is taking through (a) planning regulations and (b) otherwise to reduce the primary emissions of harmful particulate matter from the use of wood-burning stoves.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton South
	tabling member printed	Dr Paul Williams
	uin	162632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2018 answer text <p>Planning is the responsibility of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). My Department is working with MHCLG on their update on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF requires that planning policies should sustain compliance with and contribute towards EU limit values or national objectives for pollutants.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>On 22 May, we published our Clean Air Strategy for consultation which aims to cut air pollution and save lives. The strategy includes plans to introduce new environmental legislation which will ensure only the cleanest domestic fuels will be available for sale and only the cleanest stoves will be available to buy and install in England, preventing 8,000 tonnes of harmful particulate matter from entering the atmosphere each year. Cleaner fuels and stoves produce less smoke, less soot and more heat.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will be launching a further detailed consultation later this year on our proposals to phase out the most polluting domestic fuels.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ahead of introducing new legislation, my Department has been working with industry sectors to introduce voluntary initiatives. This has seen the introduction of Ecodesign Ready labelling by the stove industry in February 2017 which brings in emission standards ahead of the EU Regulatory deadline of 2022.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also worked with the wood fuel industry on the Ready to Burn scheme which was launched in Autumn 2017. The scheme informs consumers about the importance of using clean, quality wood-fuel to improve air quality which will reduce harmful emissions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, my Department have also been working with other industry sectors, such as chimney sweep organisations to provide advice to consumers in their own homes. This has resulted in an information guide (<a href="https://tinyurl.com/y8clbglu" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/y8clbglu</a>) which provides clear advice on the procedures to follow when lighting a stove, to minimise smoke emissions.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 16/07/2018 13:49:18 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4666 label Biography information for Dr Paul Williams