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1083519

registered interest
date	07/03/2019
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	Food: Imports
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 implications for food imports from the US of the United States - European Union Negotiations: Summary of Specific Negotiating Objectives, published by the Office of the United States Trade representative in February 2019.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh North and Leith
tabling member printed	Deidre Brock
uin	229717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government welcomes the publication of the United States - European Union Negotiations: Summary of Specific Negotiating Objectives, and the more recent publication of Specific Negotiating Objectives for the UK. These publications are of course important, but do not change the Government’s view that any future trade deal must work for UK consumers, farmers and businesses.</p><p>The Government has made it clear that we will not water down our food or animal welfare standards in pursuit of any trade deal. Existing food standards on issues such as chlorinated chicken will come across through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. For hormone treated beef the UK has transposed EU Council Directive 96/22/EC into UK law, which prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones in both domestic production and imported products. This will continue when we leave the EU.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/03/2019 12:09:54 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	4417 label Biography information for Deidre Brock

1083528

registered interest
date	07/03/2019
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	Animals: 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, if he will take steps to ensure that the UK is able to end the live export of animals after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Southend West
tabling member printed	Sir David Amess
uin	229590
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>Our manifesto made it clear that we would take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter once we leave the EU. We launched a call for evidence last year, the findings of which we asked the Farm Animal Welfare Committee to review. Their report is expected shortly. Once we have received that report, we will consider how best to take forward the 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 14/03/2019 12:00:55 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	44 label Biography information for Sir David Amess

1083556

registered interest
date	07/03/2019
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	Insects: Conservation
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 study published in the journal Biological Conservation entitled Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers, what steps his Department will take to reverse the decline of the insect population.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	229598
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2019 answer text <p>The study referred to by the Rt. Hon. Member highlights a global issue that requires both global and national action.</p><p> </p><p>UK scientists have been at the forefront of delivering assessments by the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The IPBES global assessment for pollinators concluded that wild pollinators, including many insect groups, have declined in Europe and North America. Data deficiencies precluded assessment in other parts of the world. Regional assessments came to similar conclusions for wider biodiversity, including insects. In Europe, for example, ongoing strong declines were identified in most species groups.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government acknowledges and is committed to addressing the declines. Internationally, we are determined to play a leading role in the development of an ambitious strategy under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, when its current framework expires in 2020. At the most recent Conference of the Parties to the Convention, in November 2018, we supported action such as the adoption of a global plan for the conservation and sustainable use of pollinators.</p><p> </p><p>At the national level, the Government’s indicators of the abundance of UK butterflies show long term declines since 1976 but no significant change since 2012. Our indicator of pollinating insects in the UK tells a similar story - overall distribution has declined since 1980 but has stabilised in recent years. We are keeping these trends under review as encouraging but not yet definitive signs of progress.</p><p> </p><p>The Government gathers further data on the status of UK pollinators through a UK-wide pollinator monitoring and research partnership, established in collaboration with research institutes and volunteer organisations.</p><p> </p><p>The 25 Year Environment Plan commits to improving the status of insects and each of the four countries of the UK has its own strategy to protect pollinators. We will continue to work in partnership with scientists and practitioners for future generations to inherit a better environment.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/03/2019 11:04:35 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1083571

registered interest
date	07/03/2019
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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Consultation
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 many consultations by his Department (a) are open, (b) are closed awaiting a Government response and (c) have been initiated since 2016.
tabling member constituency	Bootle
tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
uin	229742
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>All public government consultations are uploaded onto GOV.UK where one can filter consultations by many criteria, including department, official document status and date of publication. As of 12 March 2019 Defra had:</p><p>a) 9 open public consultations,</p><p>b) 14 consultations closed awaiting a government response; and</p><p>c) 116 consultations published in total from 1 January 2016.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/03/2019 12:11:13 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1082531

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
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	Sheep
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 on the local environment of sheep farming.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
uin	229199
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2019 answer text <p>The sheep sector plays a vital role in contributing to rural life, local economies and the iconic landscapes of the UK. With over 50% of the national flock being in Wales and Scotland, the sheep sector is an important sector across the UK.</p><p> </p><p>The climate and topography of the UK mean that much of it is unsuited to commercial crop production, especially in Wales, Scotland and the north and west of England, where livestock production is the main use of agricultural land. Sheep are a major part of that, with breeds adapted to thrive in areas of harsh climate, topography and low feed-value vegetation. Furthermore, grazing of sheep has a key role in maintaining open habitats, primarily grasslands and heathlands, by hindering succession to scrub or woodland in the lowlands and sub-montane zone. In doing so they are an important land management resource.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently developing our own farming policies as we prepare to leave the EU. Our intention, as laid out in the Agriculture Bill, is for our future policies to primarily reward farmers for providing environmental benefits. We are currently working with farmers, land managers and representative bodies including the National Farmers Union, Tenant Farmers Association and National Sheep Association to ensure that our future Environmental Land Management system can work with livestock farms including sheep farms in lowland and upland areas.</p><p> </p><p>Defra undertakes and coordinates research across the whole food production system, looking at factors including environmental impacts, productivity, efficiency, waste reduction etc. This includes research into sustainable diets, local and seasonal produce, environmental labelling, supply chain efficiency, and sustainable consumption.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 14/03/2019 11:54:19 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1082613

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
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	Food: Standards
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 his Department has had with representatives of the farming industry on the food standards element of a future trade deal with the US.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	229083
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of the farming industry to discuss the UK’s departure from the EU and future trade opportunities. We have been clear that any future trade agreements must work for consumers, farmers, and businesses in the UK. We will maintain our standards on food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection as part of any future trade deals.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 11/03/2019 14:49:49 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1082637

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
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	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit
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 his Department has spent on external consultants for work relating to the UK leaving the EU in each year since 2016.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
uin	229231
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>Given over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the UK’s departure from the EU, it is not possible to determine whether contracts relate solely to the UK leaving the EU. Accordingly, we are unable to estimate total expenditure on external consultants for work relating to the UK leaving the EU since 2016.</p><p>In September, the National Audit Office reported that Defra has specific contracts with BCG and PWC, up to the values of £9.5 million and £6.7 million respectively, to support the Department’s preparations for leaving the EU.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 11/03/2019 16:50:29 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1082672

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
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	Horse Passports: EU Law
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 he will publish his Department’s plans on how to implement EU Equine Passport Regulation – (EU) No. 2015/262; and whether his Department has developed alternative proposals for when the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton North East
tabling member printed	Emma Reynolds
uin	229186
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>The EU Equine Passport Regulation, (EU) No. 2015/262, applies directly to the UK. Secondary legislation supplements and makes provision for its enforcement. Defra was responsible for introducing The Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018, SI 2018 No. 761, which came into force on 1 October 2018.</p><p> </p><p>Since then, the Equine Identification (England) (EU Exit) regulations 2018 (SI 2018 No. 1409) and The Equine (Records, Identification and Movement)(Amendment)(EU Exit) Regulations 2019 have been introduced in order to make the necessary technical changes to retained EU legislation so that equine records, movements and identification remain operable upon the UK leaving the EU.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 11/03/2019 14:51:47 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4077 label Biography information for Emma Reynolds

1083417

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
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	Equine Flu: Disease Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what systems are in place to ensure that disinfectant products sold for use in stables and farms are proved to kill the equine influenza virus.
tabling member printed	Baroness Masham of Ilton
uin	HL14300
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2019 answer text <p>Products approved for use under ‘General Orders’ on the Defra Approved Disinfectant list are likely to be effective if used at the recommended General Orders dilution rates. This list is published on GOV.UK at <a href="http://disinfectants.defra.gov.uk/DisinfectantsExternal/Default.aspx?Module=ApprovalsList_SI" target="_blank">http://disinfectants.defra.gov.uk/DisinfectantsExternal/Default.aspx?Module=ApprovalsList_SI</a>. Equine influenza is not a notifiable disease in the UK and there is therefore no published statutory list of disinfectants approved specifically for equine influenza disease control. Regulations applying to consumer products mean that disinfectant manufacturers need to be able to substantiate claims made about the effectiveness of their products, including those specified for equine influenza.</p><p> </p><p>Equine influenza viruses are not very persistent in the environment and these viruses are readily inactivated by disinfectants. The same general advice for all disinfectants also applies to those used in relation to equine influenza. To ensure disinfectants are at their most effective, they must be diluted with fresh clean water and the area thoroughly cleaned and as necessary degreased prior to the application of the disinfectant. Disinfectant in footbaths/foot dips should be regularly replaced and this is particularly important during wet weather when the active ingredient in foot dips can get diluted by rainwater, or if it gets contaminated with soil or organic matter. Equipment and footwear should ideally be washed with clean water to remove gross contamination before disinfectant is applied, as the active ingredient of most products is inactivated by organic material. Boots and footwear should be scrubbed with a brush, with particular attention paid to the treads on the soles of footwear and boots.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 19/03/2019 12:23:04 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1850 label Biography information for Baroness Masham of Ilton

1083420

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
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	Pets: Sales
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possibility of illegal puppy and kitten dealers establishing themselves as rescue centres to continue their trade after the ban on third-party sales of such animals comes into force; whether they intend to carry out a consultation on that issue; and whether they intend to introduce licensing requirements on animal sanctuaries and rescue centres to prevent any such activity.
tabling member printed	Baroness Parminter
uin	HL14303
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to banning the third party sale of puppies and kittens in England and the necessary secondary legislation will be laid before Parliament later in this session.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the concern that some unscrupulous breeders may consider setting up as rescue and rehoming centres, and we will provide guidance to Local Authorities to help them distinguish between genuine rescue and rehoming centres and other commercial operations. In parallel, we are working with stakeholders to understand the impact that any licensing scheme would have on the sector.</p><p> </p><p>Further detail on the Government’s overall approach to the licensing of animal rescue and rehoming centres was set out by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a Westminster Hall debate on 26 February 2019. The Hansard of the debate can be found here: <a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-02-26/debates/EC70319B-914E-408C-A987-7C4DE9D98F1E/AnimalRescueHomes" target="_blank">https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-02-26/debates/EC70319B-914E-408C-A987-7C4DE9D98F1E/AnimalRescueHomes</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 20/03/2019 16:01:48 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4178 label Biography information for Baroness Parminter