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1125027

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
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	Meteorology: 5G
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 of the effect of the introduction 5G services on the accuracy of weather forecast predictions.
tabling member constituency	Preston
tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
uin	251230
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>Defra Digital Data and Technology Services (DDTS) has been tracking, through its emerging technology scanning activity, the recent news on the potential impact of the introduction of 5G services on the accuracy of weather forecast predictions. Defra DDTS has not undertaken any assessment of this potential impact, and is not aware of any such assessment being undertaken within Defra.</p><p><br> The Environment Agency and the Met Office Flood Forecasting Service would be expected to undertake such an assessment, but this service is not within core Defra.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/05/2019 09:57:19 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1125038

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
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	Agriculture: Diversification
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 steps the Government is taking to support farmers to create a sustainable diversified farming system.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	251236
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The Agriculture Bill will help farmers in England to grow strong and diversified businesses producing high quality food in a more sustainable way, enhancing the environment for future generations. We will create an ambitious new system based on paying “public money for public goods”, which will include improving air and water quality, biodiversity and habitats for wildlife. Financial support for innovations like precision farming can also help farmers become more productive, reduce the use of expensive chemicals and protect the environment.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 13/05/2019 12:42:07 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1125145

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
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	Ash Dieback Disease
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 his Department provides to local authorities to help safely dispose of trees felled as a result of Ash dieback disease.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	251296
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>Under the Occupiers Liability Act, individual landowners are responsible for the care and management of trees on their land. We encourage all landowners to think strategically about the management of their ash trees, and use the recently published Forestry Commission guidance and the Tree Council’s ash dieback toolkit, to adopt best practice and help reduce the impact of this disease on our landscape.</p><p> </p><p>Onward spread of ash dieback via wood/timber is considered to be a low risk, so ash wood may be moved without restriction within Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), to help landowners recover some of the value from the timber.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/05/2019 10:21:27 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1124737

registered interest
date	03/05/2019
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	Grouse Moors
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 cost to the public purse is of subsidies for grouse moor management; and what assessment he has made of the effect of those subsidies on the economy.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	250793
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government does not make subsidies available specifically for grouse moor management, although such land may qualify for Basic Payment Scheme payments and environmental schemes.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 13/05/2019 12:53:28 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1124130

registered interest
date	01/05/2019
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	Foxes: Sites of Special Scientific Interest
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 recent discussions he has had with Natural England on the provision of information on fox numbers in each site of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	249820
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>I have been well informed of the discussions that my officials are having with Natural England (NE) on this issue. NE’s licencing process for badger control includes a detailed assessment of effects on protected wildlife sites such as sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). In 2018, NE’s successful defence of judicial review proceedings against these assessments included a commitment to review its procedures on and within 2km of SSSIs, where they support bird species which may be vulnerable to a potential increase in fox predation as a result of a reduction in badger numbers. NE will collect information in order to make a judgement on whether sufficient fox control is taking place to avoid this potential risk.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/05/2019 16:20:24 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1124131

registered interest
date	01/05/2019
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	Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
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 for a strategy to manage bovine TB in the countryside without using badger culling; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	249821
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>A successful strategy for eradicating bovine TB involves addressing all routes of spread of infection, including cattle-to-cattle, cattle-to-badger, badger-to-badger and badger-to-cattle.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the Government’s 25 year bovine TB eradication strategy, we are taking strong action to eradicate the disease and protect the future of our dairy and beef industries, with emphasis on detecting infection early in cattle herds, containing and removing it as quickly as possible, and tighter biosecurity. We also enable farmers and landowners to carry out badger culling and/or badger vaccination, subject to strict licensing criteria by Natural England.</p><p> </p><p>Sir Charles Godfray’s review of the strategy is an important contribution that will inform future approaches around our goal of eradicating the disease in England by 2038.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 09/05/2019 15:15:19 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1124173

registered interest
date	01/05/2019
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	Fisheries
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 steps he is taking to support the fishing industry in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of the UK.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Nigel Dodds
uin	249860
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>Leaving the EU will mean the UK will become an independent coastal state for the first time in 40 years. The UK will be able to control access to UK waters and secure a fairer share of fishing opportunities, for the benefit of the whole of the UK fishing industry, including Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>Our vision for future fisheries policy is set out in the Fisheries White Paper: Sustainable Fisheries for Future Generations. The Fisheries Bill provides the powers necessary to manage our fisheries as an independent coastal state.</p><p> </p><p>On 10 December 2018, the Secretary of State announced £37.2 million of extra funding for the UK seafood sector for projects approved during 2019 and 2020 to boost the industry as we become an independent coastal state. In line with the existing allocation of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund funds, £3.6 million of this additional funding will be allocated to Northern Ireland.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 09/05/2019 15:25:20 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

1123873

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, what steps he is taking to ensure that future bans on the use of pesticides are based on scientific research; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	249195
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government’s priority is to protect people and the environment, and pesticides are only authorised if scientific evidence shows that they will not harm human health or have unacceptable effects on the environment.</p><p> </p><p>We carry out a thorough assessment of the scientific evidence, drawing on advice from scientists in the Health and Safety Executive and the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides. Regulatory decisions are regularly reviewed so that safety can be reassessed using the latest data and scientific knowledge.</p><p> </p><p>Decisions on the use of pesticides will continue to be based on a careful scientific assessment of the risks and we will ensure that the regulation of pesticides continues to be robust and fit for purpose as our scientific knowledge develops.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 08/05/2019 15:39:49 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1123874

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	Environmental 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, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Rural Payments Agency is able to efficiently manage (a) Countryside Stewardship and (b) Environmental Stewardship payments; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	249196
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2019 answer text <p>Performance on stewardship schemes has not been satisfactory. Both I and the Secretary of State are engaging with the RPA to improve the process and I have regular contact with the Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) Chief Executive. Since the transfer of work last October, we have supported the RPA in securing the resources needed to make inroads into the backlog and get vital payments out to agreement holders.</p><p> </p><p>In parallel, the RPA has made IT improvements and streamlined processes for new and existing agreements, to get the payment rounds on a better footing, get agreement holders back into the position they should be in, and make the schemes a more attractive proposition going forward.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 09/05/2019 12:04:58 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

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