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1251616

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2020
	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	Livestock: Disease Control
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake a review of the potential risks posed by intensive farming of animals in enclosed spaces on (1) the incubation, and (2) animal to human transmission, of viruses.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL10271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2020 answer text <p>Defra works in a ‘One Health’ approach with others, including public health and food safety departments and devolved administrations. We know the importance of surveillance for and management of the risk of emergence of zoonotic diseases, a constant threat in our globalised world where disease can spread so rapidly. We continue to develop a robust evidence base.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) routinely carry 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>Different types of farming systems can be managed in a professional way with good biosecurity plans and housing systems to reduce disease transmission.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 26/11/2020 15:09:33 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1240222

	registered interest
	date	05/10/2020
	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	Cattle: Accidents
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to prevent walkers on public footpaths being killed by cattle.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL8706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>Promoting safety in the countryside and ensuring the public feel safe and confident while using the rights of way network is very important.</p><p> </p><p>The Health and Safety Executive provides advice on keeping cattle in areas where there are public rights of way and in open access areas, which can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais17ew.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais17ew.pdf</a>. It provides a list of actions which farmers can take to avoid or mitigate risk; for example, keeping stock elsewhere, avoiding fields with public access, putting up temporary fencing and clear signposting.</p><p> </p><p>Cattle, particularly if with calves, can occasionally become aggressive towards dogs. The current Countryside Code pages on GOV.UK give advice for the public on dogs and farm animals, as well as advice for land managers regarding identifying threats to visitor safety. These pages can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/countryside-code-full-online-version" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/countryside-code-full-online-version</a>. Natural England is refreshing the code for a planned relaunch next year which will provide an opportunity to reinforce messaging around cattle and public access.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble attachment 1 file name HSE information sheet - Cattle and public access.pdf title HSE information sheet 2 file name Countryside code - full online version - GOV.UK.pdf title GOV.UK Countryside Code web page question first answered 19/10/2020 13:33:18 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1230959

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2020
	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	Public Footpaths: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the condition of public footpaths in England and Wales; and in particular whether (1) signposts, waymarks, bridges and stiles are effectively maintained on public rights of way, and (2) crops are being planted on fields without marking the route of public rights of way.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL7608
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2020 answer text <p>Local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of public rights of way. They are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) to plan improvements to the rights of way network in their area, which are usually available on the authority’s website. This must include an assessment of the local rights of way including the condition of the network.</p><p> </p><p>Deferring the 2026 cut-off date for registration of historic rights of way is a possibility, which would create more time for the reforms to rights of way legislation to be implemented effectively. We must weigh this against the desire for certainty around where rights of way exist, which implementing the cut-off date will bring. Officials intend to meet the rights of way reform Stakeholder Working Group soon and will discuss this issue with them and others before we come to a decision.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/09/2020 14:20:40 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1187339

	registered interest
	date	23/03/2020
	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	Supermarkets: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with supermarkets about the provision of online slots for home delivery of foodstuffs and vital supplies to older vulnerable groups.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL2801
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during disruption to supply situations. Our retailers already have highly resilient supply chains and they are working around the clock to ensure people have the food and products they need. Industry is adapting quickly to these changes in demands, and we welcome the actions they are taking to support demand for online deliveries for older and vulnerable groups, including hiring more staff and prioritising delivery slots for those that need them most.</p><p> </p><p>To help industry respond to this unprecedented demand we have introduced new measures to support online deliveries. We have issued guidance to local authorities to allow extended delivery hours to supermarkets so that shelves can be filled up more quickly, and we have implemented extensions to drivers’ hours. We are also temporarily relaxing certain elements of competition law to ensure retailers are able to collaborate effectively in the national interest, for example by sharing distribution depots and delivery vans.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has begun to deliver food parcels to those identified by the NHS as being extremely clinically vulnerable.</p><p> </p><p>We are working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. This could include those who are elderly, disabled or who have health conditions that make it difficult for them to get the food they need.</p><p> </p><p>We will be launching a communications campaign to signpost vulnerable people to a range of support options. We are working closely with Local Authorities to direct vulnerable people to support available at the local level, as well as working in parallel with supermarkets to prioritise vulnerable individuals. Wherever possible, people should continue to rely on friends, families and wider community support.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 06/04/2020 15:57:16 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1168555

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	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	Game: Birds
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to commission an independent review into the economic, environmental and wildlife impacts of driven grouse shooting.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL13
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government will consider the findings of the recently released Werritty Review which addresses these issues in Scotland. We will continue to work to ensure a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between shooting and conservation.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 07/01/2020 12:36:31 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1144094

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	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	Rivers: Pollution Control
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of England's rivers meet the EU's minimum ecological standards; and what proportion are judged sufficiently pollution-free to be safe for swimmers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL17582
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 09/09/2019 16:32:51 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1127415

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Hen Harriers: Conservation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 16 January (HL12536), what steps they will take in response to the report Patterns of satellite tagged hen harrier disappearances suggest widespread illegal killing on British grouse moors, published in Nature Communications on 19 May, which found that hen harriers are ten times as likely to disappear over grouse moors than elsewhere and that this is the primary cause of their decline; and whether this finding will be reflected in an update to the 2016 Hen Harrier Action Plan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL15826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Defra and Natural England will continue working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including moorland communities, conservation organisations, police and landowners to implement the Hen Harrier Action Plan, which is kept under regular review.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is also working with the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group on a new action plan to tackle raptor persecution, led by a senior police officer and drawing together representatives from a range of stakeholders.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 04/06/2019 11:01:46 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

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

1036894

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2019
	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	Hen Harriers: Conservation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to counter the unlawful killing of hen harriers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL12536
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government is very concerned about hen harrier populations, which is why we took the lead on the Hen Harrier Action Plan. This sets out what will be done to increase hen harrier populations in England and includes measures to stop illegal persecution. A copy of the plan is available on GOV.UK.</p><p> </p><p>All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with strong penalties for committing offences against birds of prey and other wildlife. The Government takes wildlife crime very seriously and has identified raptor persecution as a national wildlife crime priority, focusing on hen harrier, golden eagle, goshawk, peregrine, red kite and white tailed eagle.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/01/2019 12:42:13 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1036895

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2019
	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	Hares: Conservation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ban the shooting of hares in the breeding season.
	tabling member printed	Lord Birt
	uin	HL12537
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2019 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to the written response I gave to question HL12295 on 28 December 2018.</p><p> </p><p>Please find the response below:</p><p> </p><p>Wildlife conservation is a devolved matter so this answer is for England only.</p><p> </p><p>The population of brown hares in England is believed to be stable. The majority of hare shooting occurs in regions where brown hares are locally abundant and leads to no long-term impact on hare populations. There is no evidence to suggest that a closed season would significantly benefit the conservation status of brown hares.</p><p> </p><p>An industry-led initiative resulted in the publication of a code of practice to protect hares in England. This provides for a voluntary close season covering the main breeding season, while allowing farmers to protect their crops from serious damage by hares.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/01/2019 12:40:33 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt