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1189011

registered interest
date	21/04/2020
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: Visual Impairment
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 his Department is taking to ensure people who are blind or partially sighted are able to access essential groceries.
tabling member constituency	Battersea
tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
uin	38643
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government is working to ensure that approximately 1.8 million people in England identified by the NHS as being at higher risk of severe illness if they contract Coronavirus have access to the food they need. We are also working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically extremely vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. This group includes blind or partially sighted people who may struggle to comply with social distancing in food shops as they often rely on a combination of touch and guiding from another person to navigate.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has been working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Local Government Association and local authority chief executives who are leading on vulnerable people to ensure that all local authorities can provide the necessary support to all food-vulnerable people. The vast majority of local authorities have dedicated COVID-19 helplines and accessible resources for people who need support and help to access food. Local authorities are establishing networks of local volunteers and linking in with the voluntary and community sector to deliver groceries to people who do not have friends, family or neighbours who can shop for them.</p><p> </p><p>Supermarkets have been working at pace to expand the total number of delivery and click and collect slots and we are working with major retailers to ensure that they prioritise delivery slots for those who are most vulnerable and at risk, including the blind or partially sighted.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 27/04/2020 15:16:05 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1188239

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Dogs: Coronavirus
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 (a) kennels and (b) dog walking businesses are able to operate outdoors under the guidance on covid-19 announced on 23 March 2020.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	37478
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government’s message to the public is clear: stay at home, in order to protect the NHS and save lives. To reduce social contact, the Government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close. A full list of those businesses required to close, and exemptions, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance#businesses-and-premises-that-must-remain-closed</p><p> </p><p>Kennels and dog walking businesses are not explicitly referred to as businesses that are required to close. Indeed, kennels and dog walking businesses play a key role in ensuring the welfare of the nation’s pets and can operate within the strict advice on social distancing and hygiene.</p><p> </p><p>The Canine and Feline Sector Group, which advises both the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England and Defra Ministers, has issued its own guidance to pet businesses on how they can continue to operate under current restrictions and in line with guidance around social distancing and hygiene.</p><p><a href="http://www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/CFSG%20Animal%20Business%20Guidance%2007.04.20.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/CFSG%20Animal%20Business%20Guidance%2007.04.20.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 27/04/2020 15:43:06 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1188538

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Gas Fired Power Stations: Noise
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 the Government has made of the potential effect on levels of noise pollution of Environment Agency proposals to allow an increase in operating hours for gas peaking plants from 1,500 to 3,500 hours per year.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	37642
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>At this time, no decision has been made to amend guidance on operating hours for gas peaking plants.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency consider noise impacts in individual environmental permit applications and will consider noise assessments for gas peaking plants based upon the operating hours agreed within the permit.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 27/04/2020 12:43:13 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1188557

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Roads: Environment
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 the term Other structures used in clause 41(c) of the Environment Bill 2020 includes roads.
tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
uin	37511
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>Clause 41(c) excludes ‘Buildings and other structures’ from the definition of the ‘natural environment’ in the Bill. However, individual types of buildings and structures are not specified on the face of the Bill. It will be for the Secretary of State and the Office for Environmental Protection to interpret this definition for the purposes of implementing Chapters 1 and 2 of the Bill respectively, based on the details of the specific issue before them and the clause which they are implementing through any particular decision. If a dispute arises about the interpretation of these provisions, the courts may ultimately provide a judgment on the matter.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 27/04/2020 12:46:16 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1188618

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Zoos: Coronavirus
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 the welfare of animals in zoos is safeguarded during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	North Devon
tabling member printed	Selaine Saxby
uin	37936
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>We recognise that zoos are undertaking very valuable work at this time to ensure that the health and welfare needs of the diverse range of animals they care for are well met. We are aware of the issues currently facing zoos and we have been engaging with the main industry association, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), and with individual zoos about the best way forward.</p><p>The Government has provided a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support businesses, including zoos, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. Zoos are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan schemes, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding of up to £25,000.</p><p>In addition, specifically for zoos in severe financial distress, the Government is introducing a Zoos Support Fund for licensed zoos in England. Similar support will be provided by the Devolved Administrations. Where a zoo in England is in severe financial distress and has fully explored and exhausted all other reasonable avenues to generate income and reduce costs, including the existing COVID-19 business support schemes, then they should approach Defra as quickly as possible. Defra has already written to all licensed zoos in England to make them aware of the COVID-19 support schemes available as well as the new Zoo Support Fund.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 27/04/2020 18:25:02 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4863 label Biography information for Selaine Saxby

1188696

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Cats and Dogs: Meat
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 his policies of the statement by officials in Shenzhen, China, on the reasons for a proposed ban on the human consumption of dog and cat meat in their city.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	37500
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare, including the welfare of dogs and cats, and we are committed to making the UK a world leader in protection of animals now we have left the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is appalled by the prospect of dogs and cats being consumed. However, it is already illegal to sell dog and cat meat for human consumption and the Government has seen no evidence that dog and cat meat is being sold or consumed in this country.</p><p> </p><p>We are confident that the current position in this country sends a clear message that the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats will never be acceptable. Indeed, the Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international authorities at every suitable opportunity and we are pleased to hear that authorities in China are proposing to ban the consumption of cat and dog meat.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 37501 question first answered 27/04/2020 18:23:12 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1188697

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Cats and Dogs: Meat
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 bring forward legislative proposals to ban the human consumption of dogs and cats in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	37501
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare, including the welfare of dogs and cats, and we are committed to making the UK a world leader in protection of animals now we have left the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is appalled by the prospect of dogs and cats being consumed. However, it is already illegal to sell dog and cat meat for human consumption and the Government has seen no evidence that dog and cat meat is being sold or consumed in this country.</p><p> </p><p>We are confident that the current position in this country sends a clear message that the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats will never be acceptable. Indeed, the Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international authorities at every suitable opportunity and we are pleased to hear that authorities in China are proposing to ban the consumption of cat and dog meat.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 37500 question first answered 27/04/2020 18:23:12 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1188756

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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	Horticulture and Recreation Spaces: Coronavirus
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 discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the benefits to mental health of access to green spaces during the lockdown due to the covid-19 outbreak; what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of reopening garden centres; and if he will make it his policy to allow (a) garden centres and (b) private gardens to admit members of the public subject to the strict maintenance of social distancing requirements.
tabling member constituency	New Forest East
tabling member printed	Dr Julian Lewis
uin	37373
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State regularly discusses a range of issues with Cabinet colleagues including the Health Secretary and, as set out in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan published in January 2018, is aware of the benefits of connecting people to the natural environment for both mental and physical health and wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>As this is the International Year of Plant Health, we have been promoting the benefits of our plants in all settings and are planning a National Plant Health Week in September.</p><p> </p><p>The benefits of being outside are noted in the Government guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19). You will be aware of the announcement the Communities Secretary made on 18 April with regard to ensuring public parks stay open.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is keeping the situation on garden centres under review, but concluded last week that it was too early to ease any restrictions on such retail environments. Social distance requirements will continue to be considered in accordance with this review.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to work closely with the representatives from the horticulture supply chain to understand what short-term and long-term support the sector needs and how we might be able to support them. We are ready to respond to emerging issues quickly and effectively.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 27/04/2020 15:42:12 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1187748

registered interest
date	25/03/2020
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	Polychlorinated Biphenyls: 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, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2020 to Question 22381 on Polychlorinated Biphenyl, if she will place in the Library all data submitted by the UK to the EU as part of the inventories of open and closed sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) under Directive 96/59/EC; and whether that data so submitted included PCB wastes disposed of in solid or liquid containment from UK landfill sites.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	34957
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Directive 96/59/EC requires Member States to produce an inventory of closed source PCB equipment with more than 0.005% PCB contamination. The Environment Agency holds this inventory for England and Wales and updates it annually in July. After the initial list, produced in the late 1990s, this information is not sent to the EU but can be viewed on request to the Environment Agency.</p><p> </p><p>The inventory data does not include information on the disposal of PCB waste, but since the domestic PCB regulation ‘The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000’ came into force it has been illegal to dispose of PCBs in landfill. All PCB liquid and materials must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed, usually by high temperature incineration.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 21/04/2020 16:59:11 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1187810

registered interest
date	25/03/2020
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	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 sufficiency of the number of refrigerated vans to meet the increased demand for grocery deliveries during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	35026
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during disruption to supply situations. Our retailers have highly resilient supply chains and have adapted quickly to these changes in demand to ensure people have the food and products they need. While we have had, and continue to have significant discussions with retailers over this period these issues have not arisen specifically. Deliveries both to stores and to people’s homes play an important role, and retailers and suppliers are best placed to make decisions about logistics and distribution.</p><p> </p><p>We have been supporting the industry in their response to this unprecedented situation by introducing measures to help businesses to keep food supply flowing. These include temporary relaxation of competition laws to allow supermarkets to work together, extending delivery hours to supermarkets and flexing rules on drivers’ hours to allow a higher frequency of deliveries to stores.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 35027 question first answered 21/04/2020 17:45:07 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill