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1126606

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	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	Farmers: Suicide
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to suicides in the farming sector, what steps he is taking to monitor levels of distress in that sector.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	254107
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Defra takes the issue of farmers and agricultural workers’ wellbeing very seriously. I am aware that rates of suicide are higher across the agricultural sector generally than they are for the general population. I know that they often have a solitary lifestyle, it is hard work and their businesses are subject to unpredictable factors such as the weather. As part of the Future Farming programme we are looking at the impact of policies on wellbeing, and we are also working with partners to foster personal and business resilience.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our on-going work using data on the farming sector, we monitor the published ONS statistics on suicides by employment group. As well as headline mortality numbers, we keep under review the issues that may affect broader experiences of positive and negative wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>Officials meet regularly with farming and rural charities to hear first-hand about resilience in the farming sector. This provides an indication of how farmers and farm workers are responding to any pressures affecting the sector.</p><p> </p><p>Government launched its first ever Loneliness Strategy in October 2018. One of Defra’s commitments is to hold regular stakeholder roundtables to tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation in rural areas. The next roundtable, to be chaired by Lord Gardiner, is being held on 11 June 2019. Defra also provides financial support through an annual grant of £1.7 million to Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), whose network of 38 rural community councils work on housing and transport issues that we know can affect farming communities.</p><p> </p><p>Defra works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on this issue. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy highlights the higher risk of suicide experienced by certain occupational groups, and this includes agricultural occupations. Through the Strategy, DHSC has ensured that every local authority has a suicide prevention plan in place to implement tailored approaches to reducing suicides based on the needs and demographics of local communities.</p><p> </p><p>In October 2018, the Prime Minister announced the first Minister for Suicide Prevention, and she recently met the Farming Community Network to understand better the issues facing farmers.</p><p> </p><p>It is important that farmers are aware of the people they can turn to if they are going through difficult times. In particular, the farming charities – the Farming Community Network, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the Addington Fund – all do a brilliant job in supporting farmers and their families. The National Farmers Union also has a regional network of advisers who can provide support.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 21/05/2019 14:49:38 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1125694

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	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	Rural Areas
	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 civil servants are (a) fully and (b) partially employed in (i) rural policy development and (ii) checking rural proofing of other departments and public bodies.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	252508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>The work of most staff in Defra and its arms’ length bodies touches on rural areas, whether it is on agriculture, fisheries, natural environment or wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently 25 posts in Defra’s Rural Policy Team. All are involved in rural proofing, whether it is developing Defra’s approach, building the evidence base, engaging with stakeholders to identify concerns or working with other departments on specific issues.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, there are 29 posts in the team in Defra managing the Rural Development Programme for England.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 16/05/2019 16:39:25 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1123974

	registered interest
	date	30/04/2019
	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	Pesticides: Regulation
	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 he plans to set up a new pesticides as a result of the resignation of key members from the Pesticides Forum and Voluntary Initiative.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	249194
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2019 answer text <p>The Pesticides Forum was set up by Government to bring together a range of organisations with an interest in how pesticides are used and the impact of their use. It plays a helpful role in supporting the National Action Plan (NAP) for pesticides by identifying issues and possible solutions across a range of pesticides issues. The Voluntary Initiative is an industry-led group which has done useful work in developing and promoting best practice in the use of pesticides. We regret that the Wildlife and Countryside Link and the Pesticides Action Network UK have decided to withdraw from these groups, which benefit from having a range of views around the table.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government will develop its approach to pesticides, putting Integrated Pest Management at its heart. In doing so we will continue to reduce the impacts of pesticide use and maintain dialogue with all those that can help us to make further progress. As part of this process we will review the NAP and update it as necessary. This will involve public consultation and we hope that environmental and farming groups will engage actively with this.</p><p><strong><br> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 08/05/2019 15:45:31 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1123705

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2019
	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	Smallholdings
	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 further protect county farm smallholdings from precipitant sale; and what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on this matter.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	248572
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government values the role of county farm smallholdings, and particularly the opportunities they offer for new entrant farmers. We are considering how to help local authorities who want to retain and invest in their county farm smallholdings, so that they offer real opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress on to a larger unit.</p><p> </p><p>Officials have regular contact with local authorities and other organisations with an interest in county farm smallholdings.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 02/05/2019 09:54:31 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1110872

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	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	Bovine Tuberculosis: South West
	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 herds in each of the following badger cull areas of (a) Gloucestershire and (b) West Somerset were tested with interferon gamma in each years from 2010 to 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	242675
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given on 3 April 2019 to PQ 213909.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 15/04/2019 11:00:59 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1110873

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	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	Bovine Tuberculosis: South West
	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 interferon gamma tests were conducted on each of the herds in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) Somerset; and how many cattle tested positive in each herd in each year from 2010 to 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	242676
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given on 5 February 2019 to PQ 213910.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 15/04/2019 12:20:11 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1110293

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2019
	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	Countryside Stewardship Scheme
	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 2019 countryside stewardship start date agreement holders and applicants are still awaiting their agreement offer.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	241999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/04/2019 answer text <p>99% of 2019 Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Mid Tier agreement offers have been issued to applicants. There are 7 Higher Tier and 60 Mid Tier offers yet to be made to applicants. The Rural Payments Agency is in contact with these applicants.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 12/04/2019 15:11:52 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1110294

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2019
	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	Agriculture: Subsidies
	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 (a) countryside stewardship and (b) environmental stewardship payments from (i) 2015 and (ii) 2016 are outstanding.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	242000
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>There are no outstanding Countryside Stewardship claim payments for 2015 as the first agreements did not commence until 1 January 2016. Over 99% of eligible Countryside Stewardship 2016 claims have received their payments and there are six claims to complete.</p><p> </p><p>Over 99% of Environmental Stewardship eligible claims have received their 2015 and 2016 payments. For 2015 there are 14 claims to complete, and 53 claims to complete for 2016.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 15/04/2019 11:45:20 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1110295

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2019
	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	Agriculture: Subsidies
	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 for the reasons for the delays to the Rural Payments Agency issuing Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	242001
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>There are a number of reasons for delays in issuing Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments. These include complex rules, requirements, processes and systems which have made the scheme overly complicated. The Rural Payments Agency took on responsibility for issuing Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments in October 2018. It is simplifying the administration of the scheme as far as possible under the current EU system by streamlining processes, making changes to IT systems and boosting the workforce to speed up processing.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 15/04/2019 11:54:58 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1110296

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2019
	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	Agriculture: Subsidies
	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 the Rural Payments Agency is on target to meet the payment commitments that he set out at the 2019 NFU conference.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	242002
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>Yes. The Rural Payments Agency is on track to achieve the commitments set out at the 2019 NFU Conference.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 15/04/2019 12:08:24 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew