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1086562

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	National Park Authorities: 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, how much money has been allocated from the public purse to the National Park Authorities in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	230866
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>Funding allocated to England’s National Park Authorities[1] each year since 2010 through Defra core grant is as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Money allocated to National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority through Defra core grant</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2010/11 </strong></p></td><td><p>£53,824,076</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2011/12 </strong></p></td><td><p>£55,216,568</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2012/13 </strong></p></td><td><p>£52,334,090</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2013/14 </strong></p></td><td><p>£49,451,587</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2014/15 </strong></p></td><td><p>£46,569,083</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2015/16 </strong></p></td><td><p>£44,729,610</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016/17 </strong></p></td><td><p>£45,875,395</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017/18 </strong></p></td><td><p>£47,127,283</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2018/19 </strong></p></td><td><p>£47,937,871</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>National Park Authorities may also access other sources of public funding in addition to the Defra core grant.</p><p><br></p><p>[1] Includes the Broads Authority.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 18/03/2019 11:34:28 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1086569

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Livestock: Exports
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 25 June 2018 to Question 155669 on Livestock: Exports, whether he has plans to include a ban on live animal exports for fattening.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	230873
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government’s manifesto made it clear that we would take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter, once we leave the European Union.</p><p>Further to the reply to Question 155669, we asked the Farm Animal Welfare Committee to look at what animal welfare improvements could be made to the transport regulatory regime for all animals and for all purposes; their report is expected shortly. Once we have received that report, we will consider how best to take forward our manifesto commitment. All options, including a possible ban, remain on the table.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 18/03/2019 13:50:15 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1086592

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Organic Farming
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 in place to (a) expedite agri-environment funding (i) applications and (ii) claims and (b) review rates of reward for the production of public goods to tackle the effect on the cash flow of organic farmers of leaving the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	230680
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>Having taken over responsibility for this task in October 2018, the Rural Payments Agency is working to process outstanding agri-environment payments and agreements as soon as possible. We know how important these payments are to customers, which is why for Countryside Stewardship claimants, we will be making bridging payments worth 75% of their current claim value to farmers who have not received their advance payments in April.</p><p> </p><p>While our priority remains to deliver a negotiated deal, we fully recognise the concerns of the organics sector and are working hard to mitigate the impact of a no deal on organic operators.</p><p> </p><p>We have already confirmed that food and feed products that are certified as organic in the EU will be recognised after 29 March at the UK’s discretion. We are working to secure a reciprocal agreement so our operators can continue to export their organic produce to the EU.</p><p> </p><p>We currently have no plans to review rates of reward for organic farmers.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 18/03/2019 13:10:19 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1086623

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Solid Fuels: Heating
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when (a) he or (b) one of his Ministers give evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on heritage rail for its inquiry into the potential effect on UK heritage railways of the proposals in the Government consultation on the cleaner domestic burning of solid fuels and wood; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Shipley
tabling member printed	Philip Davies
uin	230687
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>I have agreed with the RHM for Loughborough to speak to the APPG, though this is not about giving evidence to an inquiry. We have yet to agree a date.</p><p> </p><p>The proposals in the consultation on domestic burning would not prevent heritage railways purchasing the fuels they need, including coal.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 18/03/2019 15:18:05 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	1565 label Biography information for Sir Philip Davies

1086702

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Seasonal Workers: Cornwall
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 estimate his Department has made of the number of seasonal workers employed in Cornwall in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	St Austell and Newquay
tabling member printed	Steve Double
uin	230817
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>The number of seasonal, casual or gang labourers on commercial agricultural holdings<sup>(a)</sup> in the South West Region on 1 June in each of the last five years is shown in the table below. County breakdowns are only available for 2013 and 2016, therefore figures for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are included for these years only.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Seasonal, casual or gang labour<sup>(b)</sup></strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2013</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2014</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2015</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South West Region</p></td><td><p>4429</p></td><td><p>5440</p></td><td><p>5744</p></td><td><p>5415</p></td><td><p>6757</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cornwall and Isles of Scilly</p></td><td><p>837</p></td><td><p>n/a</p></td><td><p>n/a</p></td><td><p>1221</p></td><td><p>n/a</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>n/a: not available</p><p>Source: Defra June Survey of Agriculture</p><p>(a) Commercial holdings are those with significant levels of farming activity. These significant levels are classified as any holding with more than 5 hectares of agricultural land, 1 hectare of orchards, 0.5 hectares of vegetables or 0.1 hectares of protected crops, or more than 10 cows, 50 pigs, 20 sheep, 20 goats or 1,000 poultry.</p><p>(b) Seasonal, casual or gang labour is defined as seasonal, casual and gang workers, including family and non-family workers who are usually employed for less than 20 weeks of the year.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/03/2019 12:14:50 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	4452 label Biography information for Steve Double

1086721

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Hedgehogs: East Midlands
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 steps he has taken to tackle the decline in hedgehog numbers in the East Midlands.
tabling member constituency	Mansfield
tabling member printed	Ben Bradley
uin	230910
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government has published advice on how to help hedgehogs through the creation of hedgehog havens and making gardens as welcoming as possible. This can be accessed at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/news/five-simple-steps-to-transform-gardens-in-to-hedgehog-havens" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/news/five-simple-steps-to-transform-gardens-in-to-hedgehog-havens</a></p><p> </p><p>We support the excellent work being undertaken by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, such as the Hedgehog Street campaign and their Conservation Strategy for Hedgehogs which sets out a ten year approach to supporting this species. Natural England is taking action to address some of the objectives in this strategy.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan, we are committed to creating or restoring 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat to provide benefits for species such as the hedgehog. Agri-environment schemes such as Countryside Stewardship provide funding to restore, extend and link important habitats and boost food resources for a range of species including hedgehogs.</p><p> </p><p>These actions are at a national level. We do not hold information on how they are being taken forward in the East Midlands specifically.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 14/03/2019 17:00:23 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4663 label Biography information for Ben Bradley

1086725

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Smallholdings
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 ensure that local authorities are delivering value for money through their management of county council smallholding estates.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	230610
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra’s annual report to Parliament on the proceedings of local authority smallholdings in England published on 27 February 2019, shows that the reporting smallholding authorities generated a revenue account net surplus of around £16 million in 2017/2018 from their council smallholdings estates.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities regularly review all their commercial assets to establish strategies to help meet financial requirements and deliver service transformation needs. We encourage all smallholding authorities reviewing rural estate assets to follow the principles and guidance set out in the Rural Estate Asset Management Planning Good Practice Guidance which was prepared by the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and the Tenancy Reform Industry Group.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill grouped question UIN 230612 question first answered 14/03/2019 12:22:42 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1086726

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Smallholdings
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government last carried out an assessment of the performance of local authorities in delivering the objective for county council smallholding estates as set out in section 39 of the Agriculture Act 1970.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	230611
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>I value the contribution council farms make in providing opportunities for new entrants to start off in farming.</p><p> </p><p>Every year Defra lays a report on the proceedings of Local Authority Smallholdings before Parliament and publishes it on GOV.UK. The most recent report was published on 27 February 2019 providing statistical and financial information on the delivery of council farm smallholdings estates across England for the financial year of 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.</p><p> </p><p>The report can be downloaded from the GOV.UK website here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/68th-annual-report-to-parliament-on-smallholdings-in-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/68th-annual-report-to-parliament-on-smallholdings-in-england</a></p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/03/2019 12:33:43 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1086727

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Smallholdings
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 whether recent disposals of county council smallholding estates have delivered the greatest possible return for the taxpayer.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	230612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra’s annual report to Parliament on the proceedings of local authority smallholdings in England published on 27 February 2019, shows that the reporting smallholding authorities generated a revenue account net surplus of around £16 million in 2017/2018 from their council smallholdings estates.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities regularly review all their commercial assets to establish strategies to help meet financial requirements and deliver service transformation needs. We encourage all smallholding authorities reviewing rural estate assets to follow the principles and guidance set out in the Rural Estate Asset Management Planning Good Practice Guidance which was prepared by the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and the Tenancy Reform Industry Group.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill grouped question UIN 230610 question first answered 14/03/2019 12:22:42 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1086728

registered interest
date	11/03/2019
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	Smallholdings
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 to assist local authorities in the management of their county council smallholding estates for the benefit of new entrant and progressing farmers.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	230613
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>I value the contribution council farms make as a way into farming for new entrants and progressing farmers. As set out in our Health and Harmony Policy Statement in September 2018, we are considering how to help Local Authorities who want to invest in their Council Farms, so that they offer real opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress onto a larger unit.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/03/2019 12:29:18 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew