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1149191

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2019
	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
	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 her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory and consistent (a) UK-wide logo and (b) on pack information for compostable food packaging; and what plans her Department has to introduce such a policy.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2019 answer text <p>The Resources and Waste Strategy analysed the challenges currently facing the recycling industry in this country, setting out how we would tackle these challenges. Building on commitments in the Strategy we launched a consultation earlier this year on reforming the packaging producer responsibility system, as part of that consultation the Government proposed a mandatory UK-wide labelling system that provides clear information to help people to recycle. Following strong support for the proposal from consultation respondents, the Government is minded to take forward a mandatory labelling scheme subject to further analysis and legal considerations. Defra officials are exploring how a mandatory labelling scheme can address consumer confusion about what to do with compostable packaging. The consultation closed on 13 May and the summary of responses and next steps can be found via the below link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/packaging-waste-changing-the-uk-producer-responsibility-system-for-packaging-waste" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/packaging-waste-changing-the-uk-producer-responsibility-system-for-packaging-waste</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that innovation into compostable and biodegradable plastics could help reduce the environmental impacts of plastics if they are disposed of in the right way. However, this is often not the case. If these plastics are put in the domestic waste bin, for example, they are likely to end up in landfill and can break down to release powerful greenhouse gases, such as methane. If mistakenly recycled with other plastics, they have the potential to damage the quality of the new products made from the recycled plastic. Furthermore, concerns persist that plastics which are claimed to be biodegradable, if littered or otherwise released into the environment in an uncontrolled way, may not degrade quickly or at all, and they can only be composted if they meet relevant standards.</p><p> </p><p>As a consequence of these concerns, the Government published a call for evidence in July 2019 to help consider the development of standards or certification criteria for bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics as well as to better understand their effects on the environment and our current waste system. The call for evidence closed on the 14 October 2019 and we are currently analysing the responses received to inform future policy. We currently do not have plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the matter of requiring any form of plastic packaging to be compostable.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 525 526 question first answered 22/10/2019 14:39:28 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1144749

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2019
	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
	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 she has made of the potential effect on (a) wheat and (b) dairy farmers of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and what assessment she has made of the UK's reliance on imported bioethanol.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	286727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 09/09/2019 15:53:23 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1145700

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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: Biofuels
	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 she has made of the potential effect on (a) wheat and (b) dairy farmers of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and what assessment she has made of the level of the UK's reliance on imported bioethanol.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	290722
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2019 answer text <p>We have been meeting regularly with the food and farming sectors across the UK to understand and anticipate the potential impacts of a no deal scenario on our agri-food industry. The UK is a net importer of dairy but there are specific products of which we are net exporters. These may face tariff and non-tariff barriers to future EU export, and this will have a larger impact on Northern Ireland where they are heavily reliant on the Irish market. For wheat, for the last few years the UK has been a net importer, but it’s likely that this harvest will see us becoming a net exporter. MFN tariffs on wheat into the EU are extremely high, however, there is an underutilised tariff rate quota.</p><p> </p><p>We currently import around 2/3rds of our bioethanol, mainly from the EU. The UK alcohol industry, particularly gin and vodka, is reliant on EU bioethanol. Bioethanol is also a vital processing aid in the production of food flavourings and colourings, household and industrial cleaners, toiletries, cosmetics and medicinal agents. Ethanol is a globally traded commodity and we do not anticipate any shortages as a result of our exit from the EU.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 02/10/2019 12:38:54 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1145475

	registered interest
	date	24/09/2019
	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: Energy Supply
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which provider supplies energy to her Department; how much CO2 was emitted through her Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria her Department uses to select an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps her Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	290327
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2019 answer text <p>The Defra Group publishes its annual carbon footprint in its annual report and account. The latest version is published here:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/818863/defra-annual-report-2018-2019-web.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/818863/defra-annual-report-2018-2019-web.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>This report provides an overview of Defra group performance against the GGC targets.</p><p> </p><p>Defra Group emitted 61,128 tonnes CO<sub>2</sub>e in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>We are mandated to use Crown Commercial Services Frameworks when it comes to selecting our energy suppliers. These are EDF, British Gas Business for electricity and Corona for Gas.</p><p> </p><p>We are unable to comment on the selection criteria used in awarding these supplier a place on these frameworks.</p><p> </p><p>88% of the electricity Defra Group purchases comes from renewable sources from these suppliers.</p><p> </p><p>We have reduced our carbon emissions by 48.8% since 2010, through investments in energy saving technology across the group by retrofitting:</p><p> </p><ul><li>LED lighting,</li><li>updated building management systems,</li><li>biomass boilers,</li><li>energy efficient boilers,</li><li>solar photovoltaics</li><li>and wind turbines.</li></ul><p> </p><p>We are looking to continue this investment through our SR19/SR20 bids in sustainable technology.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 02/10/2019 13:35:09 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1149868

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2019
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Energy Supply
	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 the Answer of 2 October 2019 to Question 290327 and to the Answer of 1 October 2019 to Question 290324, if she will introduce the same policy as the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and switch to an electricity provider that supplies electricity solely from renewable resources within the next 12 months; and for what reason her Department has not already ensured its electricity is supplied solely from renewable resources.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	1008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2019 answer text <p>In response to PQ290397 Defra Group already procures 88% of the energy used in 2018/19 from renewable sources. In the core Department this rises to 99.9%. The Core Department’s energy policy states it will purchase renewable electricity from the Crown Commercial Services Electricity Frameworks.</p><p> </p><p>The only reason the Core Department utilises non-renewable electricity is where the landlord purchases the electricity for a leased site and then recharges the Core Department.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 25/10/2019 10:10:02 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135229

	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Iron and Steel
	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 sign his Department up to the UK Steel charter.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	270365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>Andrew Stephenson MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 29 May to ask my Department to sign the Steel Charter.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill grouped question UIN 270366 question first answered 05/07/2019 11:33:12 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135230

	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Iron and Steel
	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 had discussions with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the UK Steel charter.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	270366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>Andrew Stephenson MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 29 May to ask my Department to sign the Steel Charter.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill grouped question UIN 270365 question first answered 05/07/2019 11:33:12 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1137808

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Iron and Steel
	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 5 July 2019 to Question 270365, for what reasons his Department has not signed the UK Steel Charter.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	275186
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>As a customer of this country’s steel sector, Defra is already taking action to level the playing field for UK steel producers when competing for central Government contracts. Our commercial activities comply with current Government policy on steel procurement as set out in Cabinet Office guidance, Procurement Policy Note 11/16.</p><p> </p><p>We can confirm that Defra, like the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, is happy to commit to supporting the Charter where it is relevant to our commercial activities and where consistent with the relevant regulations.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 17/07/2019 16:16:28 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1147454

	registered interest
	date	01/10/2019
	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	Electronic Training Aids
	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 22 May 2019 to Question 254811 on Electronic Training Aids, when the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ban the use of electronic shock collars.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	292895
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>Defra continues to work up the necessary legislation needed to prohibit the use of remote controlled hand-held electronic training collars for dogs which will be laid before Parliament in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 08/10/2019 11:40:48 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1147051

	registered interest
	date	30/09/2019
	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 Supply
	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 the biggest risk is to the UK's food security in the (a) short, (b) medium and (c) long-term.
	tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
	tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
	uin	292214
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>Food is one of the 13 Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Sectors in the UK. Defra and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have joint responsibility for food as CNI. Defra is responsible for security of supply, and the FSA for food safety and food crime. Food supply is a devolved issue. Defra produces a Sector Security and Resilience Plan (SSRP) which is updated annually and a summary is publicly available.</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786206/20190215_PublicSummaryOfSectorSecurityAndResiliencePlans2018.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786206/20190215_PublicSummaryOfSectorSecurityAndResiliencePlans2018.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>This document sets out the risk landscape through identifying the main risks to the sector as described in the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA). and how these are managed. The UK food sector has a highly effective and resilient food supply chain, owing to the size, geographic diversity and competitive nature of the industry. While there are no individually critical food assets, the main risks arise from recognised dependencies on other critical services such as fuel, energy, transport and data communications.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 08/10/2019 11:43:55 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin