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1029343

	registered interest
	date	20/12/2018
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Staff
	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 staff were employed in his Department on (a) 20 December 2018 and (b) 23 June 2016.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	204541
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2019 answer text <p>The total number of staff employed by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 May 2016, 30 June 2016 and 30 November 2018 are shown below;</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Month/Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Headcount</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>31 May 2016</p></td><td><p>1,693</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>30 June 2016</p></td><td><p>1,693</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>30 November 2018</p></td><td><p>4,168</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Staff in Post Data is only run as at the end of each month in order to provide information for published statutory returns. The data provided is in line with the figures published at <a href="https://data.gov.uk/dataset/workforce-management-information-defra" target="_blank">Data.gov.uk - https://data.gov.uk/dataset/workforce-management-information-defra</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Along with other public sector employers, the department provides data to the Office of National statistics for the “Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey”. The most recent publication was 11 December showing data as at the end of September 2018 and can be found here - <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/september2018" target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/september2018</a> .</p><p> </p><p>ONS data for earlier reference dates can be found here – <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/previousReleases" target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/previousReleases</a></p><p> </p><p>The Staff in Post data has to go through a lengthy resource intensive verification process to eliminate a high proportion of errors. To provide data as at 20 December would incur disproportionate costs.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 11/01/2019 13:00:36 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1035349

	registered interest
	date	04/01/2019
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit
	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 he has made of the additional staff required by his Department in the event that the UK leaves the EU (a) with and (b) without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	205317
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2019 answer text <p>Over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the UK’s departure from the European Union and as a result many roles across the Defra group are now supporting work related to our departure from the EU, either directly or indirectly. We are unable to disaggregate between ‘deal’ and ‘no deal’ planning work.</p><p> </p><p>As at the end of November, Defra group has recruited over 2300 staff including fixed term appointments, interims and staff redeployed from elsewhere in the group, to work on the UK’s departure from the EU. Over 2100 are already in post with the remainder working through pre-employment processes.</p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to recruit further additional staff to support work related to leaving the EU and we are currently advertising or selecting to fill an additional 250 posts.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Resourcing activity is expected to be on-going through 2019/20 however we are currently in the process of finalising our total people resource requirements for the year following receipt in late December of a further £410m of Government funding to enable us to prepare to leave the EU on either a deal or a no deal basis.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 14/01/2019 12:46:27 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1039112

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2019
	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	Horses: Animal Welfare
	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 reduce the practice of horse tethering.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	207271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2019 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), it is an offence to fail to provide for an animal’s welfare or to cause it any unnecessary suffering. The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids (the Code). The Code provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their horses and includes a specific section on how to tether a horse. Local authorities have powers under the 2006 Act to investigate allegations of cruelty or poor welfare. In addition, welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare (WHW) may also investigate such matters. If anyone is concerned about the way a horse has been tethered, they should report the matter either to the relevant local authority, or to the RSPCA or WHW who can investigate. If a horse is found not to be tethered appropriately, this could lead to a prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. I consider that existing legislation and guidance in place in respect of tethering horses ensures their welfare needs are met appropriately.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 15/01/2019 15:32:58 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1054722

	registered interest
	date	04/02/2019
	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	Food: Waste Disposal
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government plans to announce the successful bids for the redistribution organisation fund.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	216299
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>The grant opportunity for increasing surplus food redistribution through overcoming financial barriers launched on 11 January this year. Successful bids are due to be announced in April with projects due to begin in early May.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 07/02/2019 10:50:19 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1134896

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	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	Horse Racing: Animal Welfare
	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 veterinary research funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board on the welfare of horses since 2000.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	269623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government considers that veterinary research is vital to improving the lives of all horses.</p><p> </p><p>The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is a non-departmental public body which was established to administer the Horserace Betting Levy, under which betting operators pay 10% of their profits on British racing back to support the sport.</p><p> </p><p>One of the statutory objectives of the HBLB is focused on the advancement or encouragement of veterinary science or veterinary education. To this end, the HBLB have invested over £35 million since 2000 in veterinary research and education, which I understand supports the welfare of all equines in Great Britain as well as thoroughbreds. Specific projects undertaken include the development of a novel technique for assessing and improving respiratory performance in racehorses.</p><p> </p><p>The Government welcomes these initiatives and acknowledges the importance of continued veterinary research to the welfare of horses.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 01/07/2019 13:40:44 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1134897

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	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	Horse Racing: Animal Welfare
	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 effectiveness of the Horse Welfare Board in improving the standards of welfare in horseracing.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	269624
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is keen that the welfare needs of racehorses are well met, both during their racing lives and afterwards. On 14 May, I met the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as well as the new independent Chair of the BHA’s newly appointed Horse Welfare Board. This Board was formed in March 2019 and includes members from across the racing industry, veterinarians and animal health and welfare specialists. This was a constructive meeting where the number of fatalities of racehorses was acknowledged and both sides agreed that further action is required to tackle avoidable harm and make the sport safer.</p><p> </p><p>The Board committed to doing all it can to improve welfare outcomes and is working on producing an equine welfare manifesto, outlining the industry’s priorities in this area. I stressed the need for the BHA to develop a robust action plan that will deliver tangible results, and will continue to stay in regular contact with both the BHA and the newly appointed Horse Welfare Board to monitor progress of key actions and to press for further improvements in racehorse welfare.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 01/07/2019 13:49:17 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1134898

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	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	Horse Racing: Equine Flu
	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 (a) his Department and (b) the Animal Plant and Health Agency have made of the effectiveness of the measures taken by the British Horseracing Authority in countering and containing the ongoing outbreak of equine influenza in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	269625
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Equine influenza is not a notifiable disease in the UK, which means that the industry takes responsibility for controlling the disease.</p><p> </p><p>Vaccination is the main control measure, alongside isolation of infected cases and minimising the mixing of horses during an outbreak.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has been monitoring the situation and maintaining close contact with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and the British Horse Council. We commend the BHA and other equine industry bodies for their swift action and for advising against unvaccinated animals being allowed to attend large gatherings.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 01/07/2019 15:21:04 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1135175

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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	Retraining of Racehorses
	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 effectiveness of the work of Retraining of Racehorses in (a) retraining retired racehorses for second careers in other equine disciplines and (b) rehoming retired racehorses.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	270251
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is British Horseracing’s official charity established in 2000 for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing. The charity promotes the versatility and adaptability of racehorses for other equine activities. We understand that over 6,500 retired racehorses are registered with RoR as active in a second career. In 2018, RoR’s education programme, open to all registered horses, organised or oversaw the staging of 301 events, with 1,681 horses attending. As a result, RoR plays a leading role on the international scene providing advice to other jurisdictions seeking guidance on setting up their own aftercare programmes. In addition, RoR works closely with welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 02/07/2019 16:30:31 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1135176

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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	Horse Racing
	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 importance of the British thoroughbred racing industry to the UK rural economy.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	270252
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to driving sustainable growth in the rural economy. Our world leading horseracing industry employs over 17,000 people nationally and contributes around £3.5 billion to the national economy each year, and plays a significant role in rural areas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 02/07/2019 10:53:09 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1148789

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	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	Forests: North of England
	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 she will support the delivery of the Northern Forest; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting that delivery through (a) the development of green investment models, (b) Government grants, (c) developer levies and (d) contributions and other support from offsetting planned Government infrastructure projects.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	176
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2019 answer text <p>As part of the Government’s ambitious 25 Year Environment Plan (YEP), we are providing £5.7 million to support the existing Northern Forest Partnership, with Community Forests and The Woodland Trust to accelerate and further develop the Northern Forest. This will help plant at least 1.8 million new trees in the Northern Forest by 2022. A minimum of 1 million of these trees are being delivered through the Partnership Innovation Fund element of our investment. Through this approach we are working closely with the Northern Forest Partnership to consider, develop and test innovative approaches and policies from the 25 YEP such as Forestry Investment Zones, natural capital, carbon off-setting and green investment financing models.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also working with the Northern Forest Partnership to increase planting rates, through joint working of Defra Group bodies like the Forestry Commission (FC), with the Partnership signposting land managers to existing FC funding.</p><p> </p><p>This approach will ensure trees are planted now and kick-start the development of the Northern Forest, helping the Partnership to realise their longer-term vision of 50 million trees over the next 25 years.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 23/10/2019 16:34:49 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis