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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

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

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

1087047

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2019
	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	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 criteria his Department uses to classify wood-burning stoves as a smoke exempt appliance.
	tabling member constituency	Bristol West
	tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
	uin	231514
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>An appliance exemption shows that fuel-burning appliances, for example stoves, ovens or boilers, emit smoke below the acceptable limits.</p><p> </p><p>Applicants must be able to prove that their appliance meets the necessary requirements and has been tested using acceptable methods at an accredited test centre.</p><p> </p><p>The emission limits applicable to appliances are dependent on the size of the appliance. Further details are provided in Hetas’ guidance which can be viewed at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/761622/hetas-appliance-exemption-application-pack-181130.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/761622/hetas-appliance-exemption-application-pack-181130.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 18/03/2019 11:51:26 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

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

885362

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2018
	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	Wolves: 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 assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reintroducing wolves into the UK; whether his Department has any plans to support the reintroduction of such animals; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	136225
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2018 answer text <p>The reintroduction of species is a devolved issue. The government has not made an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing wolves in England and is not aware of any proposals to re-introduce them.</p><p> </p><p>Natural England considers any application for reintroductions in accordance with international guidelines including taking account of socio-economic and environmental impacts as well as the impacts on the animals themselves.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 23/04/2018 14:46:42 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

822823

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2018
	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	Wind Power: Birds of Prey
	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 information his Department holds on the number of birds of prey who have died as a result of impacting with wind turbines in the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	122506
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2018 answer text <p>Defra does not hold information in relation to the estimated number of birds killed in the last three years by the operation of wind turbines in the UK.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 23/01/2018 14:31:35 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

942631

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2018
	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	Wildlife: 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, if he will make it his policy to transpose EU Wildlife Trade Regulations into UK law.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	164406
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2018 answer text <p>The European Union (Withdrawal) Act includes provisions to ensure existing EU environmental law continues to have effect in UK law. This will ensure that, wherever possible, the same rules and laws will apply the day after we leave as they did before.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government will ensure continued compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on EU Exit, through converting the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations into a UK-specific regime under the powers set out in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 23/07/2018 15:08:35 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord