Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed attachment file name title grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1061347

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2019
	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	Zoos: Safety
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the safety systems and processes in UK zoos to protect staff, customers and animals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL13727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that zoos are safe places to work and visit, and that there are high standards of welfare for all animals.</p><p> </p><p>The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 sets out comprehensive licensing and inspection requirements for zoos. Responsibility for administering these requirements rests with local authorities. Defra supports this by providing the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, which sets out minimum standards that zoos are expected to meet, covering welfare and safety.</p><p> </p><p>The standards are kept under review by Defra’s Zoos Expert Committee, a group of independent experts that advises Defra on zoo issues. Zoos must also comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which ensures the safety of staff.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 27/02/2019 12:54:42 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

792918

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2017
	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	Zoos: Licensing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the adequacy of the provisions of (1) the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, and (2) SI 2002/3080 which implemented EC Directive 1999/22/EC.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL3442
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2017 answer text <p>Under zoo licensing legislation zoos are subject to an annual inspection and must comply with the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. These are detailed standards for zoo management, including animal health, welfare and husbandry. The standards are kept under review by Defra’s Zoos Expert Committee (ZEC) which includes leading animal welfare experts.</p><p> </p><p>Ministers have tasked the ZEC with considering whether any changes need to be made to the zoo licensing system. The Department will consider the recommendations when they are received in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 30/11/2017 15:08:36 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

1200712

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2020
	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	Zoos: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the future prospects for (1) Chester Zoo, (2) other major zoos and (3) small zoos; and what plans they have to secure the future of zoos and their animals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL5297
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>We recognise that zoos are working tirelessly during this challenging time to ensure the health and welfare needs of animal collections in their care continue to be met. We have been engaging regularly with zoos, including Chester Zoo, to gather information and supporting evidence to understand the impacts of coronavirus on the sector.</p><p> </p><p>The £14 million Zoos Support Fund was opened on 4 May to help those zoos, safari parks, aquariums and eligible farm visitor attractions in severe financial distress due to the disruption caused by coronavirus. This Fund remains open for applications until 19 July 2020.</p><p> </p><p>As announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June, outdoor areas of zoos and safari parks are now allowed to reopen, subject to appropriate social distancing measures being in place. Allowing zoos to reopen is an integral step towards supporting an early financial recovery.</p><p> </p><p>Consideration of proposals for any longer-term support that might be needed for the sector is ongoing. With the help and support of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) we are working diligently to find the best way forward.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 17/06/2020 14:49:56 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

77809

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2014
	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	Zoos
	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 implementation of the European Union's Zoos Directive 1999 in the United Kingdom through the zoo inspection system.
	tabling member printed	Lord Harrison
	uin	HL1106
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Zoo Licensing Act 1981, which sets out comprehensive licensing and inspection requirements for zoos, implements the EC Zoos Directive in Great Britain. Responsibility for administering these requirements rests with local authorities, which have powers to check compliance with zoo licences, to impose conditions and to take action. Ultimately this could mean closing part, or all, of a zoo if the requirements of the legislation are not met. This in turn ensures our compliance with the Directive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In response to concerns about how local authorities were carrying out this role, Defra commissioned research into local authority implementation of the Act. The 2011 report, which looked at the period 2008-2010, found no serious problems and indeed there was evidence of significant improvements in a number of areas during this time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The report made suggestions for further improvements, such as updating guidance and zoo inspection report forms. These, together with the majority of the suggestions, have been actioned and we continue to work to make further improvements.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 22/07/2014 14:41:46 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
	tabling member	2488 label Biography information for Lord Harrison

1283737

	registered interest
	date	03/02/2021
	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	Zoonoses
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any correlation between the conditions in which livestock used for meat are kept and the emergence of novel zoonotic diseases.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
	uin	HL12962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government’s assessment is that different types of farming systems can be managed in a professional way as long as they have good biosecurity plans and housing systems to reduce disease transmission.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 17/02/2021 15:19:37 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

1283739

	registered interest
	date	03/02/2021
	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	Zoonoses
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any trend in the number of novel zoonotic diseases that have occurred over the past 30 years; and what steps, if any, they intend to take in response to any such assessment.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
	uin	HL12964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>There are a number of published studies on the emergence of zoonotic diseases (such as Jones et al. (2008) Nature 451: 990-993), and Defra has contributed to the peer review of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report, an expert opinion of the role of biodiversity and pandemic emergence.</p><p> </p><p>Defra works within a ‘One Health’ approach. This means working across a range of disciplines, recognising that people, animals and plants share one environment and are all interconnected.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) routinely carries out surveillance on farms for zoonotic pathogens. It has significant surveillance programmes for tuberculosis, avian influenza, salmonella, brucellosis and anti-microbial resistance.</p><p>We respond promptly to outbreaks to minimise the impacts of zoonotic disease associated with farming and farmed products.</p><p> </p><p>The Human Animal Infections &amp; Risk Surveillance group is a cross-government technical group who analyse and assess the risks for new and emerging zoonotic diseases.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 17/02/2021 14:46:37 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

1135699

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Xylella
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific measures they are taking to prevent the introduction to the UK of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa via the import of infected host plants.
	tabling member printed	Baroness D'Souza
	uin	HL16792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p><em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> is currently not present in the UK but we are taking a lead in the EU to tighten import and movement controls to protect the country against its introduction.</p><p>We supplement EU measures with national legislation requiring notification of certain imports, allowing the Animal and Plant Health Agency to build intelligence about such trades and carry out targeted inspections. The notification requirements were strengthened in 2018 through the inclusion of olive trees, following an interception in Belgium of <em>Xylella</em> on olive trees imported from Spain.</p><p>We have also successfully pressed the case for stronger requirements at an EU level against certain high risk hosts for this disease, with supplementary measures also now in place against <em>Polygala myrtifolia</em>. Under the leadership of Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola Spence, we are continuously reviewing new developments to determine whether additional measures are required.</p><p>We have a surveillance programme in place targeting imports and businesses trading in hosts from within the EU, as well as inspections in the wider environment.</p><p>We are also taking action with UK industry to raise awareness, resulting in nurseries and garden centres committing not to bring <em>Xylella</em> host plants into the UK from EU regions where the disease is present, and employing careful sourcing, traceability and good hygiene measures.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 05/07/2019 11:43:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3709 label Biography information for Baroness D'Souza

455793

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2016
	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	Xylella
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the dangers posed to trees and shrubs by Xylella fastidiosa, and the experiences of France and Italy in tackling that disease, what steps they are taking (1) to prevent it entering this country, and (2) to deal with any incursion should it occur.
	tabling member printed	Lord Framlingham
	uin	HL6483
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2016 answer text <p><em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> is a regulated pathogen in the EU under the Plant Health Directive, with strengthened requirements now in place in response to the risk posed by this organism. This includes measures to protect against its introduction from countries outside the EU, as well as requirements to prevent infected material being moved from areas within the EU where it is present.</p><p> </p><p><em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> is currently not present in the UK and we are taking robust action to protect against its introduction, including restricting high-risk imports, inspecting host material from outside the EU and raising awareness, through publicity and direct interaction with growers and trade associations.</p><p> </p><p>Our aim is to prevent further introductions into the EU as a whole (thereby protecting the UK) and to prevent spread from areas of the EU where it is present. This includes engaging actively with our EU partners and the European Commission on ensuring we have the best possible protective measures in place.</p><p> </p><p>Imports of host plants from outside the EU can now only take place where the pest status of the country or origin has been confirmed and when stringent import conditions have been met. All such imports are inspected at points of entry. Plant species which have been confirmed as a host in the EU must now be accompanied by a Plant Passport, meaning they can only be moved into and within the UK by officially authorised businesses. Additional requirements apply to areas where the pathogen is present to prevent the movement of potentially infected plants from such areas.</p><p> </p><p>Through our delivery bodies we are applying the EU-wide provisions as well as carrying out surveillance visits of premises growing and trading host plants. In the event of an incursion, a full investigation would take place to determine the circumstances and the actions required. Should an outbreak occur, the requirements of the EU Decision would apply, including destruction of infected and potentially infected plants and demarcation of the outbreak area with restrictions imposed in line with the Decision. We are working closely with industry bodies to raise awareness and encourage good practice.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 08/03/2016 16:21:50 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	134 label Biography information for Lord Framlingham

757235

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2017
	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	Xylella
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa is capable of infecting tree and plant species in the UK; and if so, whether they are taking steps to ban the importation of any goods, produce, plants or other species that could bring the disease into the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL1220
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2017 answer text <p>Certain subspecies of <em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> could be damaging to tree and plant species in the UK. We are pressing, at an EU level, for protections to be strengthened and will continue to keep this issue under review nationally. This includes taking account of the most up to date scientific information, including that published by the European Food Safety Authority, which has helped to inform the development of measures to protect against the disease and actions in response to findings within the EU.</p><p> </p><p>On the basis of the current evidence, Defra’s Secretary of State has written to the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytensis Andriukaitis to raise concerns about EU protections against the disease and urge stronger action. The letter also highlights that national measures could be introduced in the event that the appropriate level of protection is not forthcoming through the EU review. The Chief Plant Health Officer has written to businesses growing and trading host plants to encourage good biosecurity and careful sourcing of plants. Copies of these letters will be placed in the library.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble attachment 1 file name letter to Commissioner Andriukaitis.pdf title Letter to Commissioner Andriukaitis 2 file name 'Act now to keep the UK Xylella free' letter.pdf title 'Act now to keep the UK Xylella free' letter grouped question UIN HL1221 question first answered 20/09/2017 16:06:05 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

757236

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2017
	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	Xylella
	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 effectiveness of the EU Food Safety Agency's plans to stop the spread of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL1221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2017 answer text <p>Certain subspecies of <em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> could be damaging to tree and plant species in the UK. We are pressing, at an EU level, for protections to be strengthened and will continue to keep this issue under review nationally. This includes taking account of the most up to date scientific information, including that published by the European Food Safety Authority, which has helped to inform the development of measures to protect against the disease and actions in response to findings within the EU.</p><p> </p><p>On the basis of the current evidence, Defra’s Secretary of State has written to the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytensis Andriukaitis to raise concerns about EU protections against the disease and urge stronger action. The letter also highlights that national measures could be introduced in the event that the appropriate level of protection is not forthcoming through the EU review. The Chief Plant Health Officer has written to businesses growing and trading host plants to encourage good biosecurity and careful sourcing of plants. Copies of these letters will be placed in the library.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble attachment 1 file name letter to Commissioner Andriukaitis.pdf title Letter to Commissioner Andriukaitis 2 file name 'Act now to keep the UK Xylella free' letter.pdf title 'Act now to keep the UK Xylella free' letter grouped question UIN HL1220 question first answered 20/09/2017 16:06:05 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra