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1669403

registered interest
date	13/11/2023
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: 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 his Department is taking to tackle the reported threat of the hybrid of an existing feline coronavirus arriving in the UK.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	1464
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2023 answer text <p>We are aware of this case of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in an imported kitten from Cyprus and the subsequent diagnostic testing and sequencing carried out at Edinburgh University and the Roslin Institute.</p><p> </p><p>Feline Infectious Peritonitis is caused by a mutation in a common feline coronavirus (FeC). This strain of virus is unrelated to those which cause SARS, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans) or MERS. Most infections with feline coronavirus cause a mild diarrhoea but sometimes, if the virus mutates within the cat, it can cause a severe infection and in vulnerable kittens can cause high mortality. FeC is often found in multiple cat households, cat shelters and feral cat colonies, as is the case in Cyprus where many cats have died of FIP.</p><p> </p><p>At present, we understand this is an isolated case and there has been no transmission to other cats in contact with the kitten, but we are following the work closely through APHA’s Small Animal Expert Group to understand whether this has the potential to become an issue for the UK cat population. FeC is not a notifiable or reportable pathogen in the UK and there are no trade rules or quarantine rules for cat imports relating to FeC or FIP.</p><p><br> There are guidelines provided by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association for how to deal with outbreaks in cat shelters, where spread can happen quickly and with certain highly pathogenic strains, can lead to high fatality rates.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 16/11/2023 09:06:53 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1669254

registered interest
date	10/11/2023
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, what assessment her Department has made of the number of smuggled animal exports in each of last five years; and whether she intends to bring forward legislation to ban live exports of (a) horses, (b) donkeys, (c) ponies and (d) all animals for slaughter.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, West Derby
tabling member printed	Ian Byrne
uin	1405
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2023 answer text <p>No assessment has been made of “smuggled” animal exports.</p><p>We will be bringing forward the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill in this session of Parliament. The Bill will ban the export from Great Britain of cattle; sheep; goats; pigs; and horses and other equines, including donkeys and ponies, for slaughter and fattening.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 16/11/2023 08:55:40 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4831 label Biography information for Ian Byrne

1669286

registered interest
date	10/11/2023
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	Sugar Beet
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 her Department is taking to help support sugar beet growers.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	1290
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The Government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production. We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain, with risk and reward being properly shared.</p><p> </p><p>We know that control of aphids and yellow virus, along with weather related problems - such as dry springs affecting crop establishment and wet conditions during the campaign harvests – can create issues for beet growers.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s reach and engagement with the agri-food sector is extensive and well-established. This includes regular contact with producers and processors in the UK sugar industry which ensures a strong two-way dialogue at both a ministerial and official level.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group, launched in January 2021, also monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, and trade enabling it to provide forewarning of any atypical market movements.</p><p> </p><p>These allow Government to collect both data and industry intelligence on the agricultural sectors, including sugar, to understand any challenges being faced. We do not consider there is a case for support at this time but will keep the situation under review.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 15/11/2023 16:58:25 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1668951

registered interest
date	09/11/2023
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	Sugar Beet: Prices
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 she has had with (a) British Sugar and (b) the National Farmers Union on the 2024/25 sugar beet price negotiations.
tabling member constituency	North West Norfolk
tabling member printed	James Wild
uin	1257
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2023 answer text <p>Defra has had discussion with all parties. The Government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production. We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain, with risk and reward being properly shared. That includes seeing a price agreed for sugar beet that benefits both growers and processors, in the context of the global market.</p><p> </p><p>There is a well-established process in place to agree the sugar beet price; designed to be independent between both parties, with Government only acting as final arbitrator at the end of the process should no agreement be reached. It is very important that all parties involved now continue to follow that process and reach a mutually acceptable outcome.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 14/11/2023 11:12:24 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4787 label Biography information for James Wild

1669151

registered interest
date	09/11/2023
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	Poultry: Avian Influenza
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what compensation is available to traditional free range turkey farmers who slaughter on farm for birds that have been slaughtered and are hanging as part of the maturation process at the time bird flu is detected.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
uin	HL190
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2023 answer text <p>Compensation, as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981, is paid for healthy birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes. No compensation is available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is also not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat that needs to be disposed of to prevent further disease spread. Any meat or birds that have been slaughtered and are hanging as part of the maturation process on an infected premises will be subject to risk assessment. If it is considered to present a risk of disease spread, the meat or birds will need to be biosecurely disposed of without compensation.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 14/11/2023 11:47:08 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4935 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich

1668466

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
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	Squirrels: Pest 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 steps she is taking steps to control the number of grey squirrels; whether she is using technology to (a) assess and (b) control the numbers of grey squirrels; and whether she has had discussions with the Welsh Government on implementing a UK-wide strategy on the control of grey squirrels.
tabling member constituency	Ynys Môn
tabling member printed	Virginia Crosbie
uin	956
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2023 answer text <p>The management of grey squirrel populations is a devolved matter.</p><p> </p><p>In England, Defra is committed to doing more to tackle the impact of grey squirrels by updating the Grey Squirrel Action Plan. The Grey Squirrel Management Action Plan for Wales and the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project include similar management objectives. A refreshed GB Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy was published this year, setting out the high-level vision and key actions for invasive species management in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Forestry Commission works informally with colleagues in Natural Resources Wales and Welsh government to facilitate a common approach where possible.</p><p> </p><p>Defra contributes funding to innovative fertility control research led by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the UK Squirrel Accord, a UK-wide partnership that includes the Welsh and Scottish governments as well as Defra. If successful, this novel management method will complement the actions set out at the level of individual governments, such as maintaining the grey squirrel eradication that partners have carried out on Anglesey.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 14/11/2023 16:01:21 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
tabling member	4859 label Biography information for Virginia Crosbie

1668513

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
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: Nature 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, what steps her Department is taking to support the existence of hedgehogs through (a) local nature recovery strategies, (b) biodiversity net gain measures and (c) future farm subsidy payments.
tabling member constituency	Stockton South
tabling member printed	Matt Vickers
uin	980
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The Environment Act 2021 introduced a number of policies that will support the restoration of habitat. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and a strengthened biodiversity duty on public authorities will work together to drive action, including to create or restore habitats that will enable wildlife, such as hedgehogs, to recover and thrive, while conservation covenants will help secure habitat for the long term. LNRSs will bring local authorities, communities, landowners and conservation groups together to agree priorities to help nature and protect locally and nationally important species. They will also map specific proposals for habitat creation and improvement such as woodland, heathland and species-rich grassland, all of which will benefit vulnerable species including hedgehogs.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, agri-environment schemes have provided a significant source of funding for habitat creation and management for threatened species. Our new environmental land management (ELM) schemes will provide farmers, foresters and other land managers with an opportunity to secure financial support in return for delivering environmental benefits. Hedgerows are an important habitat for hedgehogs and their food source. Actions to fund the creation, restoration and maintenance of hedgerows are available through the Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 15/11/2023 16:01:10 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
tabling member	4844 label Biography information for Matt Vickers

1668549

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
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	Fireworks
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 she has made of the impact of fireworks on (a) domestic animals, (b) wild animals and (c) vulnerable people.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	981
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The Government endorses the considerate use of fireworks. We believe that the majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner.</p><p> </p><p>The Government takes the issues associated with the sale and use of fireworks seriously and we understand the concerns that some people have about the potential for distress to be caused by them. That is why there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place for fireworks, that aims to reduce the risks and disturbances to both people and animals.</p><p> </p><p>It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause unnecessary suffering to animals covered by the Act, and this includes through the misuse of fireworks. Users of fireworks need to use them responsibly and be aware of animals close by, and those found guilty under the Act of causing animals unnecessary suffering can face up to five years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>Lower noise fireworks are commercially available to consumers to purchase if they wish to, potentially reducing distress to vulnerable groups and animals.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA also provide pet owners with advice on how to look after their pets during fireworks: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rspca.org.uk%2Fadviceandwelfare%2Fpets%2Fgeneral%2Ffireworks%23%3A~%3Atext%3DNever%2520set%2520off%2520fireworks%2520near%2Cand%2520trees%2520with%2520roosting%2520birds.&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C167ee6d3e76a4a0da50b08dbe1e277f2%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638352135014834694%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P3fwzR9uKNzbttASbQFDCoLJjVMtc2yteN0ia%2BB7dsI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">How To Keep Your Pets Safe During Fireworks | RSPCA</a>.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 982 question first answered 15/11/2023 15:53:08 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1668550

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
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	Fireworks: 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, what assessment she has made of the impact of fireworks on farms and farming.
tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
uin	982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The Government endorses the considerate use of fireworks. We believe that the majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner.</p><p> </p><p>The Government takes the issues associated with the sale and use of fireworks seriously and we understand the concerns that some people have about the potential for distress to be caused by them. That is why there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place for fireworks, that aims to reduce the risks and disturbances to both people and animals.</p><p> </p><p>It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause unnecessary suffering to animals covered by the Act, and this includes through the misuse of fireworks. Users of fireworks need to use them responsibly and be aware of animals close by, and those found guilty under the Act of causing animals unnecessary suffering can face up to five years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>Lower noise fireworks are commercially available to consumers to purchase if they wish to, potentially reducing distress to vulnerable groups and animals.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA also provide pet owners with advice on how to look after their pets during fireworks: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rspca.org.uk%2Fadviceandwelfare%2Fpets%2Fgeneral%2Ffireworks%23%3A~%3Atext%3DNever%2520set%2520off%2520fireworks%2520near%2Cand%2520trees%2520with%2520roosting%2520birds.&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C167ee6d3e76a4a0da50b08dbe1e277f2%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638352135014834694%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P3fwzR9uKNzbttASbQFDCoLJjVMtc2yteN0ia%2BB7dsI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">How To Keep Your Pets Safe During Fireworks | RSPCA</a>.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 981 question first answered 15/11/2023 15:53:08 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1668562

registered interest
date	08/11/2023
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	Drinking Water: Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances
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 she is taking to prevent the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	869
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>Water companies (for public drinking water supplies) and local authorities (for private drinking water supplies) have statutory duties to carry out assessments, identifying risks to the quality of the water. They must sample the drinking water supply for any element, organism or substance which could pose a danger to human health. This includes the detection of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Drinking Water Inspectorate has provided guidance on PFAS since 2007, which was updated in 2021. Work continues across government to assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources and potential risks, to inform future policy and regulatory approaches to safeguard current high drinking water quality.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 15/11/2023 14:15:13 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq