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1248035

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2020
	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	Trees: Fruit
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the number of traditional orchards in England that are in a favourable condition.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL9819
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2020 answer text <p>Traditional orchards are listed as a habitat of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Government agri-environment grant schemes, including Countryside Stewardship (which replaced the Environmental Stewardship Scheme) provide financial support to improve the condition of traditional orchards and to establish more of them.</p><p> </p><p>In England there are 1,952 hectares of traditional orchards being managed or established under agri-environment schemes.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/11/2020 17:23:33 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1248033

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2020
	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	Natural England: Environmental Land Management Schemes
	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 impact of demands arising from Environmental Land Management schemes on Natural England; and what plans they have to increase that organisations funding.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL9817
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2020 answer text <p>Like all other Defra sponsored bodies, Natural England (NE) receives an appropriate budget to carry out its duties and responsibilities in line with what is affordable and the priorities set out by the Secretary of State.</p><p> </p><p>NE is an important advisory and delivery partner in the Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme. For the current financial year, NE has been allocated approximately £3.6 million to support the development of ELM. This includes drafting ELM technical guidance, development of scheme design for the Pilot and associated policy advice.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently assessing the budgets for our arm’s length bodies as part of the Spending Review process.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/11/2020 17:17:56 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1246963

	registered interest
	date	29/10/2020
	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	Oak Processionary Moth
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the incidence of oak processionary moth in the UK in 2020 to date.
	tabling member printed	Lord Framlingham
	uin	HL9771
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2020 answer text <p>The Forestry Commission has an annual programme of surveillance in place. This year, the Commission has enhanced its surveillance programme within the UK Protected Zone as a precaution in response to an increased number of intercepts of Oak Processionary Moth in 2019.</p><p>Oak Processionary Moth is established in most of Greater London and in some surrounding counties. In June and July 2020, it was found on a very small number of trees at five sites within the Protected Zone, in the English counties of Sussex, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cheshire. Swift action was undertaken to eradicate recent findings, including surveillance, tracing work and the removal of caterpillars and infested trees.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 12/11/2020 12:50:14 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	134 label Biography information for Lord Framlingham

1246962

	registered interest
	date	29/10/2020
	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	Plants: Imports
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tighten the rules governing importation of trees and shrubs after 31 December.
	tabling member printed	Lord Framlingham
	uin	HL9770
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2020 answer text <p>From January 2021, trees, shrubs and other plants entering Great Britain from the EU will be subject to third country import requirements. Controls on the highest risk products from the EU will apply immediately following the end of the transition period. This includes requirements to pre-notify, the need for a phytosanitary certificate to accompany regulated consignments and physical inspections on imports once they have arrived in Great Britain. It is already the case that imports of regulated plants and plant products from non-EU countries are subject to import controls.</p><p>The UK intends to ensure that its Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regime remains appropriate to address the risks it faces. The UK plant health services already conduct risk-based checks at the border in relation to imports from non-EU countries. The checks undertaken are determined according to an assessment of the risk presented by the import of different plants and goods from different origins. This risk assessment and risk management approach will apply to SPS goods from the EU from 1 January 2021.</p><p>For plants (including trees and shrubs) and plant products, a common import regime will ultimately apply to all third countries, so any changes will apply equally to EU and non-EU countries. Notwithstanding the phasing in of controls, any changes to GB's import requirements from the end of the transition period will apply to all third countries (including the EU).</p><p>Defra, with the devolved administrations, actively monitors and reviews plant health risks and the government will respond as needed to ensure UK biosecurity continues to be protected.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 12/11/2020 11:45:56 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	134 label Biography information for Lord Framlingham

1246901

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	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	Low Pay: Rural Areas
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to address (1) low pay among those living in rural areas, and (2) the gap in average earnings between those living in rural and urban areas.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
	uin	HL9725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>There is no gap in median earnings between those living in rural and urban areas. Indeed, on a residence basis, in 2019 median gross annual earnings of £24,300 in predominantly rural areas were on a par with those in predominantly urban areas excluding London, which were £24,200.</p><p>Government policy is based on economic prosperity and helping people out of poverty wherever they live. The National Living Wage was increased by 6.2% to £8.72 per hour from 1 April 2020, above inflation and average earnings. Rates for younger workers were also increased. These increases were estimated to raise the pay of over 2 million workers across the UK.</p><p>Universal Credit promotes work as an effective route out of poverty. The Government has made significant investment to improve Universal Credit through the reduction in the taper rate from 65% to 63% in 2017, and an extra £1.7 billion a year put into Work Allowances by 2023/24, increasing them by £1,000 a year for working parents and disabled claimants from April 2019. This has put an extra £630 a year in the pockets of 2.4 million of the lowest paid households.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 11/11/2020 16:38:02 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3792 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

1246884

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	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	Japanese Knotweed
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to advance the use of biological control of Japanese knotweed.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL9707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>We continue to work closely with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) on researching and developing biological control methods for Japanese knotweed. Following extensive trials, we approved the release of the psyllid – <em>Aphalara itadori</em> in England to tackle Japanese Knotweed (<em>Fallopia japonica</em>).</p><p> </p><p>We are also funding research into the fungal leaf-spot <em>Mycosphaerella polygoni-cuspidatii,</em> which has potential as a mycoherbicide for Japanese Knotweed.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 11/11/2020 16:31:18 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1246792

	registered interest
	date	27/10/2020
	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	Fishing Vessels
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fishing vessels, registered in England, are currently in operation in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hay of Ballyore
	uin	HL9639
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2020 answer text <p>As of 1 October 2020, Marine Management Organisation statistics show that there are 2,613 English registered and licenced fishing vessels.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 10/11/2020 12:11:14 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4352 label Biography information for Lord Hay of Ballyore

1244646

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2020
	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	Export Health Certificates
	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 number of export health certificates for animal products that will need to be issued from 1 January 2021; and what is their current capacity for issuing these certificates.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9302
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>New requirements for export health certificates (EHCs) for goods moving from Great Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021 may increase demand for EHCs for products of animal origin (POAO) by up to five times, compared with the approximately 57,000 issued for third country trade in 2017. To meet this possible demand, we have increased the number of Official Vets (OVs) holding the relevant qualification to certify POAO exports from around 600 in February 2019 to more than 1200 today, with further funded training announced on 1 October 2020. In addition, around 1000 Food Competent Certifying Officers (FCCOs) working in 153 different local authorities across Great Britain can certify some exports and therefore contribute towards certification capacity. We have also introduced the role of Certification Support Officers (CSOs) to help reduce the burden on OVs and FCCOs. CSOs are able to carry out preliminary and administrative work to prepare consignments for export. On 1 October, we announced additional funded training to help increase the number of CSOs from 96 qualified and authorised by APHA.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 02/11/2020 17:48:26 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1244644

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2020
	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	Veterinary Services: Recruitment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the UK is facing a critical shortage of veterinarians; and what steps they are taking to increase veterinary capacity.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>The Department is aware of staff shortages within the veterinary profession which has an existing job vacancy rate of around 10%. Defra is working with the UK veterinary profession to address the UK’s veterinary resourcing needs and to ensure capacity in both the short and long term.</p><p> </p><p>With support from stakeholders, the Department was successful in ensuring that veterinarians were added to the UK Shortage Occupation List in September 2019. This will make it easier for UK employers to recruit vets from overseas. Additionally, two new veterinary schools have been opened to expand the number of UK veterinary graduates in the future.</p><p> </p><p>To support official veterinarians further, Defra created a Certification Support Officer (CSO) role to help work on export certification. Additionally, to ease the burden of statutory TB skin testing of cattle, from 2 November 2020, Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs) can be employed and trained by private veterinary businesses in England.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 02/11/2020 17:17:26 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1174470

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2020
	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	Hill Farming
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of hill farmers in England and Wales.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jones
	uin	HL930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2020 answer text <p>We are able to provide the number of farms within Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) which cover mountainous and hill farming areas. The LFAs are subdivided into two areas. The more environmentally challenging areas within LFAs are classed as ‘Severely Disadvantaged Areas’. The remainder are classified as ‘Disadvantaged Areas’.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for England and Wales in 2018 are shown below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p> </p></td><td colspan="2"><p><strong>Number of holdings</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>England</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Wales</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Less Favoured Areas</p></td><td><p>17,868</p></td><td><p>29,824</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which Disadvantaged Areas</p></td><td><p>8,345</p></td><td><p>13,461</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>of which Severely Disadvantaged Areas</p></td><td><p>9,523</p></td><td><p>16,363</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 06/02/2020 17:29:35 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	530 label Biography information for Lord Jones