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1486218

registered interest
date	04/07/2022
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	Package Holidays: 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, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2022 to Question 17967, whether he has held discussions with travel industry and other stakeholder organisations on the potential merits of a ban on the domestic (a) advertising and (b) sale of wild animal experiences abroad.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	30010
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2022 answer text <p>Ministers and officials have been engaging with industry groups and interested stakeholders - and continue to do so - on many of the measures set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, including reforms relating to not advertising or offering for sale, here, activities involving unacceptable practices abroad.</p><p> </p><p>The Government considers that reputable and responsible tour operators here should not be advertising or offering attractions, activities, or experiences abroad that involve the unacceptable treatment of animals. The Association of British Travel Agents has published guidelines and lists activities which have been classified as unacceptable.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Advertising Standards Association regulates online advertising in the UK and has issued advice about featuring animals in marketing communications.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 28428 question first answered 07/07/2022 11:51:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1344216

registered interest
date	06/07/2021
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, with reference to his oral contribution of 17 June 2021, Official Report, column 437, if he will provide details of the meeting with representatives of the ornamentals sector referred to in that oral contribution.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	28184
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2021 answer text <p>On 16 June 2021, as part of his sector engagement activities, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met with stakeholders from the edible and non-edible horticulture sector, to discuss labour issues and the effectiveness of the current Seasonal Workers Pilot.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/07/2021 13:53:29 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1289009

registered interest
date	23/02/2021
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	Animal Welfare: Finance
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 the covid-19 outbreak on the financial sustainability of animal rescue organisations.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	157100
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2021 answer text <p>Animal rescue organisations do excellent work, often on a voluntary basis, protecting animals against cruelty and ensuring that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK are offered the opportunity of a forever home. I am acutely aware that the coronavirus pandemic, and specifically the measures put in place to control the spread of the virus, continue to affect individuals, businesses and charities caring for animals. Protecting the welfare of animals remains a priority for Defra throughout the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>The sector has kept us regularly updated of the developing situation, sharing their surveys particularly with respect to the rescue and rehoming of companion animals, and sharing information on cruelty investigations. It has been encouraging to see the sector working collaboratively and successfully to support itself and to safeguard the welfare of equines in their care in the face of financial hardship and uncertainty.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures from a survey by the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) show that although the animal rescue sector has seen a drop in income during the pandemic the financial sustainability in the sector appears to be improving. This suggests that rescues have adapted to the new situation either through fundraising in different ways or taking advantage of grants made available by the ADCH and other sources. More rescues are now taking in dogs and cats and more are rehoming. In Quarter 4 of 2020 there was a 24% Year on Year reduction of cat intake and a 32% reduction in dogs entering rescues. 68% of rescues have reported more people wish to foster dogs or cats and 58% wish to rehome a dog or cat.</p><p> </p><p>National equine welfare charities have also kept us closely informed of the status of the Covid-19 Equine Rescues Emergency Fund established by the Pet Plan Charitable Trust together with World Horse Welfare and the National Equine Welfare Council. The current picture of equine welfare is better than feared, but we continue to keep things under review.</p><p> </p><p>We have worked closely with sector groups to update guidance to animal rescue and rehoming organisations, and other animal charities and businesses. This has enabled them to undertake core operations as far as possible, whilst maintaining compliance with the social distancing rules and need for hygiene precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Throughout this period, we have ensured that rescue and rehoming organisations are permitted to stay open, that staff and volunteers can continue to work and tend to the animals in their care, and that rehoming, fostering and adoption services can continue in accordance with Covid-19 secure guidance.</p><p> </p><p>We take the concerns of the sector very seriously and are keeping a close watch on in-take levels and trends in animal relinquishments. Defra remains committed to continued engagement with the sector to understand the longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, monitor the animal welfare implications of this and offer appropriate advice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 157101 157308 question first answered 01/03/2021 15:27:04 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1289011

registered interest
date	23/02/2021
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	Animal Welfare: Finance
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 the Government has to support animal rescue organisations affected financially by the covid-19 pandemic; and whether he plans to allocate further funding to help protect the welfare of animals in their care.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	157101
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2021 answer text <p>Animal rescue organisations do excellent work, often on a voluntary basis, protecting animals against cruelty and ensuring that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK are offered the opportunity of a forever home. I am acutely aware that the coronavirus pandemic, and specifically the measures put in place to control the spread of the virus, continue to affect individuals, businesses and charities caring for animals. Protecting the welfare of animals remains a priority for Defra throughout the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>The sector has kept us regularly updated of the developing situation, sharing their surveys particularly with respect to the rescue and rehoming of companion animals, and sharing information on cruelty investigations. It has been encouraging to see the sector working collaboratively and successfully to support itself and to safeguard the welfare of equines in their care in the face of financial hardship and uncertainty.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures from a survey by the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) show that although the animal rescue sector has seen a drop in income during the pandemic the financial sustainability in the sector appears to be improving. This suggests that rescues have adapted to the new situation either through fundraising in different ways or taking advantage of grants made available by the ADCH and other sources. More rescues are now taking in dogs and cats and more are rehoming. In Quarter 4 of 2020 there was a 24% Year on Year reduction of cat intake and a 32% reduction in dogs entering rescues. 68% of rescues have reported more people wish to foster dogs or cats and 58% wish to rehome a dog or cat.</p><p> </p><p>National equine welfare charities have also kept us closely informed of the status of the Covid-19 Equine Rescues Emergency Fund established by the Pet Plan Charitable Trust together with World Horse Welfare and the National Equine Welfare Council. The current picture of equine welfare is better than feared, but we continue to keep things under review.</p><p> </p><p>We have worked closely with sector groups to update guidance to animal rescue and rehoming organisations, and other animal charities and businesses. This has enabled them to undertake core operations as far as possible, whilst maintaining compliance with the social distancing rules and need for hygiene precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Throughout this period, we have ensured that rescue and rehoming organisations are permitted to stay open, that staff and volunteers can continue to work and tend to the animals in their care, and that rehoming, fostering and adoption services can continue in accordance with Covid-19 secure guidance.</p><p> </p><p>We take the concerns of the sector very seriously and are keeping a close watch on in-take levels and trends in animal relinquishments. Defra remains committed to continued engagement with the sector to understand the longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, monitor the animal welfare implications of this and offer appropriate advice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 157100 157308 question first answered 01/03/2021 15:27:04 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1281710

registered interest
date	28/01/2021
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	Animal Housing: Cats and Dogs
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 support the Government has made available to kennel and cattery businesses in the context of the re-classification of those services as essential and the implications of that matter for the eligibility of those workers regarding furlough.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	145015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2021 answer text <p>There has been no change in the status of kennel and cattery businesses. Under the current restrictions veterinary services, animal rescue centres, and animal boarding facilities may stay open. Continued access to animal boarding facilities at this time is important for animal welfare purposes, including where required to enable critical workers to go to work or to allow owners to attend medical or vaccination appointments.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities have been allocated £500 million in discretionary funding via the Additional Restrictions Grant to support businesses that are significantly impacted by the restrictions even though not required to close. This is in addition to £1.1 billion already allocated in November 2020. Local authorities have discretion to use this funding to support businesses in the way they see fit. For example, this could include businesses which supply the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, or businesses in the events sector or businesses outside the business rates system, which are effectively forced to close. Businesses which cannot maintain their workforce because operations have been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) can furlough employees and apply for a grant to cover a portion of their usual monthly wage costs, more information on eligibility can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#who-can-claim" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#who-can-claim</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This includes guidance on how to access animal boarding facilities safely and is clear that you should only access these facilities by appointment and recommends that you ask the facilities if they provide a collection and drop-off service. More information can be found at: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cemma.pryor%40defra.gov.uk%7Ccdb47b630757448d00e308d8c6b349ed%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637477820629969763%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=mxkLP22r5dSOqrjTZUrEgEXXa865J4yjnU7KPk9P3v8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals</a></p><p> </p><p>The Canine and Feline Sector Group has also issued advice for pet businesses, including animal boarding establishments, on how to operate safely within the new restrictions. This includes a protocol for the handover of pets and may be found online: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfsg.org.uk%2Frepository%2F360%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cemma.pryor%40defra.gov.uk%7Ccdb47b630757448d00e308d8c6b349ed%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637477820629979758%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=Lv0ltm7otHRRm7rC69TMolIwHHXsAZ%2FP5hU8B6W9HEo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 03/02/2021 11:29:27 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1280651

registered interest
date	26/01/2021
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	Animal Housing: Cats and Dogs
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 reverse the reclassification of kennel and cattery businesses from animal welfare to non-essential.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	143754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2021 answer text <p>There has been no change in the status of kennel and cattery businesses. Under the current restrictions veterinary services, animal rescue centres, and animal boarding facilities may stay open. Continued access to animal boarding facilities at this time is important for animal welfare purposes, including where required to enable critical workers to go to work or to allow owners to attend medical or vaccination appointments.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This includes guidance on how to access animal boarding facilities safely and is clear that you should only access these facilities by appointment and recommends that you ask the facilities if they provide a collection and drop-off service. More information can be found at: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpqtransfers%40defra.gov.uk%7Ce3835daf693a4dec875208d8c473ca72%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637475348895479454%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=f%2BW6Kv%2Bq7feswXolhSaCViATnMhOwyw2iZyAc46UZWU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals</a></p><p> </p><p>The Canine and Feline Sector Group has also issued advice for pet businesses, including animal boarding establishments, on how to operate safely within the new restrictions. This includes a protocol for the handover of pets and may be found online: <a href="https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/" target="_blank">https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 01/02/2021 16:45:42 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1225954

registered interest
date	17/07/2020
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	Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant
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 £63 million allocated for the Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies announced on 10 June 2020, (a) on what basis was the £63 million calculated, (b) when he will publish allocations for each local authority, and (c) whether he will conduct a review to assess whether further funding is necessary.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	76011
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>The Emergency Assistance Grant Scheme was created as a one off fund to enable Local Authorities to support those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to COVID-19. The £63 million was calculated on the basis of the cost of supporting the ‘most at risk’ groups for a notional period of 12 weeks, based on an estimated net household budget shortfall. I intend to publish the allocations for each local authority as soon as possible, after the authorities have accepted their grant offers. We will monitor the use of the funding over the coming months.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 22/07/2020 16:28:32 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1221546

registered interest
date	07/07/2020
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	Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant: North East
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 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release of 11 June 2020, entitled £63 million for local authorities to assist those struggling to afford food and other essentials, how much of that funding he plans to allocate to each local authority in the North East; and when he plans to issue guidance on the use of that funding.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	70395
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>We are allocating the funding according to the size of a local authority’s population and the level of deprivation. The exact amounts will be published on the GOV.UK website in due course. We issued guidance to local authorities on Friday 10 July, which is available to view at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-authority-emergency-assistance-grant-for-food-and-essential-supplies" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-authority-emergency-assistance-grant-for-food-and-essential-supplies</a>.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/07/2020 16:27:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham