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44036

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2014
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons his Department supported an officer in the Falkland Islands responsible for implementing the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels on behalf of the Overseas Territories.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	192763
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Joint UK and South Atlantic Overseas Territories funding has supported a co-ordinating post based in the Falkland Islands since 2008 to, among other things, help meet obligations arising from the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), a daughter agreement to the Convention on Migratory Species. ACAP has been extended to the UK's South Atlantic Territories. Defra currently contributes £20,000 per year.</p><p>ACAP seeks to conserve albatrosses and petrels by co-ordinating international activity to mitigate known threats. Collectively, the UK's South Atlantic Overseas Territories are breeding range states for 12 of the 30 species currently listed by the Agreement. The ACAP co-ordination project was established to ensure coherence of action between the Territories, assist with the planning and implementation of albatross and petrel conservation work, take responsibility for the reporting requirements and lead on critical seabird by-catch mitigation work in international fisheries fora.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

44899

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the breakdown of departmental spending on Government Procurement Cards in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2009–10, including the name, merchant type, purchase date and transaction value.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Seccombe
	uin	HL6302
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Officials' spending on Government Procurement Cards (GPCs) in 2009-10 generated nearly 47,000 transactions totalling £3.9m.</p><p>The breakdown requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p>However, details of all GPC transactions with a value of £500 or above, incurred from 1 April 2010 onwards, are published online at <a href="http://data.gov.uk/dataset/defra-gpc-spend-over-500-pounds" target="_blank">http://data.gov.uk/dataset/defra-gpc-spend-over-500-pounds</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
	tabling member	2097 label Biography information for Baroness Seccombe

45028

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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
	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 his Department's policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	193556
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt. Hon. friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Mr Francis Maude, on 26 March 2014, Official Report, Column 300W.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

45030

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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
	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 evidence his Department has collected on the effect of badger culls conducted in Ireland on levels of bovine TB in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Ogmore
	tabling member printed	Huw Irranca-Davies
	uin	193609
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The number of bovine TB reactors in the Republic of Ireland fell by over 65% between 1999 and 2013, from 44,903 to 15,612. This represents the lowest level since the eradication programme started in the 1950s. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's wildlife policy statement of April 2013 concludes that it is satisfied that the culling of infected badgers, which is underpinned by research studies and sound science, has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of TB in cattle over the past decade.</p><p><a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/bovinetbbrucellosiseradicationschemes/wildlifepolicybadgers/" target="_blank">http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/bovinetbbrucellosiseradicationschemes/wildlifepolicybadgers/ </a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	1476 label Biography information for Huw Irranca-Davies

45034

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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
	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 facilities exist for the retention and care of non-native wildlife species confiscated in the UK; where those facilities are located; and how many times such non-native wildlife species confiscated have been returned to the people or location where they were first confiscated.
	tabling member constituency	Penistone and Stocksbridge
	tabling member printed	Angela Smith
	uin	193703
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Non-native wildlife specimens (including plants) may be retained for various reasons by the Police, UK Border Force (UKBF), Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (RBG Kew), local authorities and other organisations such as the RSPCA.</p><p>RBG Kew has a Plant Quarantine Unit and keeps records of all plant material entering its collections but not records of confiscated specimens that are returned to the people or location they were confiscated from.</p><p> </p><p>UKBF re-homes seized wildlife after having consulted with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the UK's CITES scientific authority for fauna, on appropriate location. It has not been UK practice to return wildlife to countries of export as there is no guarantee of its return to the wild or that it will not re-enter illegal trade. UKBF does not disclose publically the locations where seized items are held. All seized animals remain the property of the crown.</p><p>No police-run facilities exist for the retention and care of non-native wildlife species confiscated in the UK: each case is dealt with on an ad-hoc basis. Information about returned specimens is not held centrally.</p><p>Defra does not hold information about holding facilities used by local authorities and other organisations.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	1564 label Biography information for Angela Smith

45201

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	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
	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 26 February 2014, Official Report, column 358W, on land drainage, for what reasons responsibility for maintaining balancing tanks and sustainable urban development systems is to be given to county or unitary authorities rather than to local planning authorities; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	193910
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>County and unitary authorities are the lead local flood authorities for their areas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

45209

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	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
	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 26 February 2014, Official Report, column 558W, on land drainage, what funding will be made available to SuDS Approving Bodies to enable them to maintain balancing tanks and sustainable urban drainage systems; who will be responsible for providing that funding; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
	tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
	uin	193909
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Department will be consulting shortly on funding arrangements for the maintenance of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) that will be subject to the provisions of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

45256

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	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
	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 his counterparts in African countries about numbers of (a) elephants, (b) rhinoceroses and (c) lions in those countries.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	193755
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p>The London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, which the Government hosted on 12-13 February, brought together 42 countries, including four Presidents of African states, to discuss the decline in numbers of elephants, rhino and other species affected by the scourge of the illegal trade in wildlife. Conference participants agreed an ambitious political declaration, containing 25 practical commitments to action that will help to eradicate the demand for wildlife products, strengthen law enforcement and support the development of sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by wildlife crime.</p><p>Prior to the Conference, my colleague Lord de Mauley represented the UK Government at the African Elephant Summit in Botswana on 2 to 4 December 2014. This was attended by numerous government ministers from across Africa and the status of the African elephant at a continental level was discussed. During the summit, Lord de Mauley held bilateral discussions on illegal wildlife trade issues with the President of Botswana. Separately, he met with the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, to discuss the crisis facing African wildlife affected by poaching and illegal trade. The Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, also had discussions about the effects of the illegal wildlife trade on numbers of key species with the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Professor Judy Wakhungu, during a visit to Kenya in November 2013.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

45257

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	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
	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 commission a study on measures to accurately record incidences of mis-stunning in abattoirs.
	tabling member constituency	Finchley and Golders Green
	tabling member printed	Mike Freer
	uin	193828
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The Food Standards Agency already records instances of mis-stunning in slaughterhouses, so a study in this area is unnecessary. Details were given by the Minister for Public Health on 24 March 2014 : Column 132W – 134W.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140324/text/140324w0005.htm#14032581000879" target="_blank">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140324/text/140324w0005.htm#14032581000879</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer

45554

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 the estimated cost of the direct damage caused by recent flooding in Somerset meets the eligibility criteria for the European Union Solidarity Fund; and what discussions his Department has had with EU officials on an application to that fund.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194106
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>EU Solidarity Fund money is available to all Member States suffering from large-scale natural disasters, but is subject to a number of eligibility requirements, including on the level of direct damages. Comparing the damage today to the 2007 floods, and following contact with the Commission, the Government's assessment was that we had not met these conditions. The Regulation governing the EUSF sets the deadline for applications as ten weeks after the first damage caused by the disaster.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

45555

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 amend the Hunting Act 2004.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	194121
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government has no legislative plans to make an amendment to the Hunting Act 2004. However, the Government's position remains that we will bring forward a motion for a free vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act when Parliamentary time allows.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

45557

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 has allocated staff resources or established a dedicated unit in his Department to deal with proposed amendments to the Hunting Act 2004.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194165
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Some departmental staff time has been used to look into the issues raised by Welsh farmers about lamb predation by foxes and the stalking and flushing out exemption of the Hunting Act 2004. This has not involved establishing a unit dedicated to this issue within the Department. Staff resources are allocated to look into issues as they arise on a flexible basis. The Government has no plans to bring forward legislation to make amendments to the Hunting Act 2004 this Parliament.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

45669

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 his Answer of 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 33W, on flood control, what the reasons are for the disparity between the figures given in that Answer and those contained in the Red Book Table 2.1 Line 34 for 2014-15 and 2015-16.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194187
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The figures that I provided in my answers of 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 33W, relate to increases in Government funding for flood defence in England announced in the Budget 2014. The figures in the Red Book Table 2.1 Line 34 for 2014-15 and 2015-16 include consequential funding for the devolved administrations. The presentation of these figures is consistent with the rest of the table and the standard way of presenting fiscal costs in Budgets.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

44375

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2014
	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
	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 objectives of the Green economy projects implemented in the Overseas Territories are.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	193142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Overseas Territories are highly dependent on the assets provided by their natural environment – their terrestrial and marine ecosystems – for their economic wellbeing. The long-term management of these assets is essential for the development of sustainable (‘green') economies in the Territories.</p><p>The objective of the environmental mainstreaming initiative is to assist individual Territories to identify the key issues that need to be addressed to ensure the environment is properly taken into account in all aspects of economic and infrastructure planning. Key issues include proper provision for waste management and the need to better understand the value of the environment to local economies and communities.</p><p>To date, three environmental mainstreaming projects have been managed by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on behalf of the FCO and Defra, in the Falkland Islands, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.</p><p>In addition, we have also funded projects in Anguilla through our Darwin Initiative Challenge Fund in 2012 and they are now developing a National Ecosystem Assessment using Darwin Plus funding. The purpose of this is to move towards a green economy by strengthening environmental management and sustainable growth, raising awareness of the value of ecosystems to the economy and providing evidence-based implementation of green policies.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

45258

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	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
	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 proportion of employees in his Department of what (a) Civil Service pay grade and (b) gender work (i) reduced hours, (ii) flexi-time, (iii) from home, (iv) a compressed working week, (v) job share, (vi) term-time only and (vii) part-time.
	tabling member constituency	Manchester Central
	tabling member printed	Lucy Powell
	uin	193963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Information for core Defra staff is as follows.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Grade</p></td><td><p>Gender</p></td><td><p>Compressed Hours</p></td><td><p>Term Time Working</p></td><td><p>Part Time</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>AA</p><p> </p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>60%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>AO</p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>2%</p><p>1%</p></td><td><p>2%</p><p>14%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>EO</p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>1%</p><p>2%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>1%</p></td><td><p>2%</p><p>18%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HEO</p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>1%</p><p>1%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>4%</p><p>20%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SEO</p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>2%</p><p>4%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>1%</p></td><td><p>5%</p><p>21%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grade 7</p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>2%</p><p>5%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>5%</p><p>28%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grade 6</p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>5%</p><p>5%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>10%</p><p>21%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SCS</p><p> </p></td><td><p>Male</p><p>Female</p></td><td><p>2%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>0%</p><p>0%</p></td><td><p>5%</p><p>23%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p>The term “reduced hours” has been interpreted as meaning part-time working.</p><p>Other information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only by incurring disproportionate costs.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4263 label Biography information for Lucy Powell

45673

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 plans to reply to the letter to him dated 20 February 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms T Morris.
	tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
	tabling member printed	Sir Gerald Kaufman
	uin	194175
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has replied to the hon. Member's letter and the response will be with him shortly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	451 label Biography information for Sir Gerald Kaufman

45806

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2014
	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
	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 (a) the welfare of horses is considered a priority in live exports and (b) laws relating to the welfare of horses are being enforced.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	194277
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) carries out non-discriminatory, risk-based inspections of animals, means of transport and accompanying documentation, as required by Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005. This Regulation is implemented in England by The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (WATEO).</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for enforcement of this legislation, in terms of investigating and, where appropriate, taking prosecution action against any transporters alleged to have committed an offence.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

45449

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	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
	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 his Department is (a) undertaking or (b) plans to undertake a review of the check-off union subscription provision.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester South
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
	uin	194039
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Defra is currently reviewing the provision of check-off for trade union subscriptions.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

45553

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 bilateral funding arrangements his Department has with (a) governmental and (b) non-governmental projects and bodies in Argentina.
	tabling member constituency	Tiverton and Honiton
	tabling member printed	Neil Parish
	uin	194079
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p><strong>Defra does not have any funding arrangements with either governmental or non-governmental projects or bodies in Argentina</strong></p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4072 label Biography information for Neil Parish

45558

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 establish shale gas extraction exclusion zones in sensitive areas for wildlife and water resources.
	tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
	tabling member printed	Joan Walley
	uin	194143
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Each application for shale gas exploration and extraction will be assessed on its merits and operators will require planning permission from the local minerals planning authority. The Environment Agency will object to shale gas extraction infrastructure or activity within a Source Protection Zone (SPZ) 1 (i.e. drinking water protected zone). Outside SPZ1, the Agency will also object when the activity would have an unacceptable effect on groundwater based on a site specific assessment.</p><p> </p><p>In England, an environmental impact assessment is required if a particular development is located wholly or partly in a ‘sensitive area'.</p><p> </p><p>Planning authorities assess each application on a case by case basis. There is a general presumption against approving a permit in such areas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	286 label Biography information for Joan Walley

45892

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 his policy is on the proposed EU regulations on heritage seeds.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford South
	tabling member printed	Mike Gapes
	uin	194385
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Defra is negotiating for a proportionate, flexible and simplified approach to the proposed new EU legislation for Plant Reproductive Material. Our principal objectives are to make things simpler and to achieve positive outcomes for businesses and gardeners alike.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4493 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	184 label Biography information for Mike Gapes

45893

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 representations he has made to the European Commission on proposed regulations relating to seeds.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford South
	tabling member printed	Mike Gapes
	uin	194394
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Defra has made numerous representations to the European Commission on its proposed regulation for Plant Reproductive Material. The representations have been through correspondence, negotiation at Council Working Groups, informal discussion, and in a specially convened meeting between Defra, Commission officials and UK stakeholders in London in June 2013.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4492 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	184 label Biography information for Mike Gapes

45894

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 31W, on the Environment Agency, whether the review of existing workloads against enforcement priorities and available budgets each area of the Environment Agency is conducting has a minimum percentage cut of workload and expenditure against which it is being assessed.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194493
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency was reviewing its baseline total enforcement and legal casework to match them to its budget. The planning assumption had been that baseline funding would reduce from £24m in 2013/14 to £20.5m in 2014/15. As part of this, the Environment Agency was reviewing the current portfolio of enforcement cases to understand the implications of a potential 25% reduction.</p><p>However, the announcement in the budget statement of an additional £5m for tackling waste crime means that the Environment Agency is reviewing its planning assumption and associated workload.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4491 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

45895

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 protect a diversity of older and heritage seed varieties.
	tabling member constituency	Ilford South
	tabling member printed	Mike Gapes
	uin	194386
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Defra takes the lead for the UK's membership to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Convention on Biological Diversity. These require contracting parties to conserve the genetic diversity of agricultural varieties, including heritage varieties. Defra sponsors three genetic resource collections which maintain heritage varieties: the National Fruit Collection, the John Innes Pea Collection, and the vegetable collection at Warwick University. Defra is planning to follow up previous research assessing, conserving and encouraging the further cultivation of locally adapted fruit and vegetable varieties (landraces).</p><p> </p><p>Defra took a leading role in developing simpler EU registration requirements, introduced in 2009, for heritage varieties of agricultural and vegetable species. These allow marketing on the basis of a simplified, low cost description, with proportionate controls to assure seed quality. Defra is now seeking further simplification in the proposed new Plant Reproductive Material legislation currently under discussion at European level.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4490 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	184 label Biography information for Mike Gapes

45896

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 his policy is on the use of chlorine as a disinfectant in drinking water; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
	uin	194339
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>By law, water companies are required to supply safe drinking water at the tap. Companies are free to choose the technology they use to treat water and in doing so are required to ensure it is correctly designed, operated and maintained. Increasingly a combination of filtration and ultra violet light is used by companies in England and Wales as an alternative to chlorine.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson grouped question UIN 194340 194341 question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

45897

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which water companies operating in the UK use alternatives to chlorine as a disinfectant in drinking water.
	tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
	uin	194340
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>By law, water companies are required to supply safe drinking water at the tap. Companies are free to choose the technology they use to treat water and in doing so are required to ensure it is correctly designed, operated and maintained. Increasingly a combination of filtration and ultra violet light is used by companies in England and Wales as an alternative to chlorine.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson grouped question UIN 194339 194341 question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

45898

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 encourage the use of alternatives to chlorine as a disinfectant in drinking water; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
	uin	194341
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>By law, water companies are required to supply safe drinking water at the tap. Companies are free to choose the technology they use to treat water and in doing so are required to ensure it is correctly designed, operated and maintained. Increasingly a combination of filtration and ultra violet light is used by companies in England and Wales as an alternative to chlorine.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson grouped question UIN 194339 194340 question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

46085

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 31W, on the Environment Agency, when the review of existing workloads against enforcement priorities and available budgets will be completed; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194449
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>It is expected that the process of reviewing the baseline total enforcement and legal casework to match this to the Environment Agency budget will be completed within the next six weeks.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4497 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

46086

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 publish (a) the results of the review of each area of the Environment Agency's existing workloads against enforcement priorities and available budgets and (b) any decisions made about the future workload and priorities of the enforcement and legal caseload.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194450
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency's process of reviewing its baseline total enforcement and legal casework to match its future budget will be used for internal workforce planning and resource allocation. It is, therefore, not intended for publication.</p><p>The announcement in the budget statement of an additional £5m for tackling waste crime means that the Environment Agency is reviewing its planning assumptions and associated workload.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4498 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

45559

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 meet representatives of Cuadrilla and other members of the shale gas industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
	tabling member printed	Joan Walley
	uin	194142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has no such planned engagements at present but always welcomes meeting a broad range of organisations to understand their needs and concerns. The UK Government is committed to the development of the shale gas industry in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 04/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	286 label Biography information for Joan Walley

45560

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 next plans to meet representatives of organisations that have made representations on the environmental effects of the shale gas industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
	tabling member printed	Joan Walley
	uin	194141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has no such planned engagements at present but always welcomes meeting a broad range of organisations to understand their needs and concerns. The UK Government is committed to the development of the shale gas industry in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 04/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	286 label Biography information for Joan Walley

44609

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to support the proposed European Union regulations on the sale of seeds, plants and plant material.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6266
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government does not support the proposed European Union regulation on the sale of plant reproductive material as currently drafted. The future of the proposals is uncertain following rejection by the European Parliament.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

45556

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 civil servants in his Department spent some or all of their time working on the Hunting Act 2004 in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014 to date; and what the grade is of each such staff member.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194164
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Since 2010 a range of civil servants in Defra from across all grades have had some responsibilities for working on the Hunting Act 2004 and have spent some of their time doing so. However, the amount of time they spend on this varies considerably according to levels of correspondence, interest and activity at any one time. As these officers also work on a range of other issues, no specific records are kept for how much of their time is spent working on the Hunting Act 2004.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

45664

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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
	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 (a) 20 highest and (b) 20 lowest value contracts awarded by his Department were in each financial year since 2009-10.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh East
	tabling member printed	Sheila Gilmore
	uin	194220
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The 20 highest and 20 lowest value contracts awarded by Defra for the respective financial years are set out in the table attached.</p><p>We are unable to provide data for 2009/10 as we did not have a central contracts management system in place prior to April 2010.</p><p>The lowest value for contracts shown here is £10,000. Any purchasing below that level is made under standard purchase order terms and conditions rather than through a specific contract. These are not recorded on our central system.</p><p>The data does not included contracts for research and development which are not held centrally and could only be included at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson attachment 1 file name PQ 2491 - table.doc title Defra Contracts 2010 - 2014
	tabling member	3965 label Biography information for Sheila Gilmore

45891

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 35W, on Mondelez International, for what reason 13 March 2014 was chosen for the date of the visit to the Mondelez factory.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
	tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
	uin	194476
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>This visit was planned as a follow up to National Apprenticeship Week. The Secretary of State wanted to meet young people beginning careers in the food production chain. In Birmingham he walked the production line on the factory floor with Mondelez apprentices, discussing with them and the Director of Manufacturing how a recent injection of £75 million is turning Bourneville into a world class manufacturing site. Mondelez is taking part in the Strategic Relationship Management (SRM) initiative, which is a government commitment to help companies overcome barriers to growth and investment.</p><p>Defra leads on the relationship with Mondelez, which has been chosen for SRM because it makes a significant contribution to the economy. The visit timing also coincided with the Big Bang Science and Technology Fair; the Secretary of State visited the Food and Drink Federation's stand and discussed how the food and drink industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, is inspiring youngsters to seek careers in the sector. The Secretary of State concluded the day with a speech to the Harper Adams Forum, a student run body at Harper Adams University. His speech highlighted the opportunities in the agriculture sector, including agri-technology following the launch of ‘UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies'.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
	tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

46087

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 staff worked in investigation, legal and enforcement action in each geographical area of the Environment Agency in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194447
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency is unable to provide a breakdown of the number of staff that worked in investigation, legal and enforcement action across geographical areas since 2010 due to disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Many Environment Agency staff work on investigation, legal and enforcement action as part of their role and across more than one geographical area.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4495 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

46088

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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
	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 cases were (a) investigated for enforcement action, (b) issued and proceeded in the courts, (c) discontinued completely, (d) enforced using a lower level of action than originally envisaged and (e) ceased to be investigated in each Environment Agency area since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194446
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency is unable to provide a breakdown of legal and enforcement cases in each of its geographical areas since 2010 which were (a) investigated for enforcement action, (b) issued and proceeded in the courts, (c) discontinued completely and (e) ceased to be investigated altogether, due to disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency can confirm that there were no cases enforced using a lower level of action than originally envisaged. At the commencement of any investigation, the Environment Agency does not know whether any enforcement action is required and, if so, what level of action is appropriate. Decisions on the level of action required are only ever made when an investigation is concluded.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson previous answer version 4494 answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

46254

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 legal and enforcement cases in each geographical area of the Environment Agency were (a) under investigation, (b) being considered for enforcement action, (c) being considered for legal action by the legal services department, (d) issued and proceeding through the courts and (e) completed on the final day of that accounting year for each of the years 2010 to 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194647
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency is unable to provide a breakdown of legal and enforcement cases in each of its geographical areas which were (a) under investigation, (b) being considered for enforcement action, (c) being considered for legal action by the legal services department, (d) issued and proceeding through the courts and (e) completed on the final day of that accounting year for each of the years 2010 to 2013, due to disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

46255

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 full-time employees in the operations and legal services departments of the Environment Agency work on (a) operations and (b) legal services.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194648
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>As of 28 February this year, the Environment Agency directly employs 8,532 full-time equivalent employees within Operations and Legal Services, shown below. These figures exclude employment agency staff and contractors and are rounded to whole full time equivalent numbers.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Operations</p></td><td><p>8,377</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Legal Services</p></td><td><p>155</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>8,532</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

46256

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 requests to leave the Environment Agency under the voluntary early release scheme are from staff in the operations and legal services departments.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	194649
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>As of 1 April this year, the Environment Agency had received 956 requests within its operations and legal services departments to leave the organisation under its voluntary early release scheme.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

46512

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 costs of the regulation and monitoring of exploration and extraction of unconventional gas (a) at each drilling site and (b) the exploration in England and Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Tom Greatrex
	uin	194851
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency raises charges for environmental permits and licences at the individual sites it regulates in England. The costs can vary depending on the nature of the site and the permits required. The shale gas industry remains at an early exploration stage and the Agency will keep its charges under review in light of developments. The annual budget the Environment Agency receives is adequate to ensure that sufficient money is allocated to costs associated with regulating the industry and for monitoring of sites during the exploration phase. As the industry develops over the next few decades appropriate funds will continue to be available to ensure the safe and sustainable exploitation of shale gas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4047 label Biography information for Tom Greatrex

46513

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 make it his policy that costs associated with the regulation and monitoring of exploration and extraction of unconventional gas are levied on industry.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Tom Greatrex
	uin	194844
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>The issue of environmental licences and permits at individual shale gas sites is financed through the Environment Agency's charges. The shale gas industry remains at an early exploration stage and the Agency will keep its charges under review in light of developments. In the meantime, the Environment Agency will ensure that it allocates sufficient resources within its overall budget to regulate a safe and sustainable shale gas industry.</p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4047 label Biography information for Tom Greatrex

46514

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 (a) amount and (b) proportion of the budget of the Environment Agency is allocated to staff and other departmental costs associated with the regulation of hydraulic fracturing and unconventional gas in each year between 2010-11 and 2014-15.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Tom Greatrex
	uin	194845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency does not keep separate records of its regulatory costs for hydraulic fracturing and unconventional gas so we cannot provide figures for previous years.</p><p>For 2014-15 the Environment Agency has allocated £2.6 million to its work on onshore oil and gas. This is 0.39% of the Environment Agency's total revenue budget.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4047 label Biography information for Tom Greatrex

46515

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 staff of the Environment Agency are engaged in regulation of hydraulic fracturing and unconventional gas.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Tom Greatrex
	uin	194846
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Environment Agency has set up a team of ten national officers working full time to develop the regulatory regime for oil and gas activities. This work covers conventional and unconventional oil and gas activities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This team is supported by additional technical resource from elsewhere in the organisation. The workload fluctuates and these specialists are not solely dedicated to regulating and permitting unconventional activities. It is therefore not possible to give an exact answer, but the Environment Agency estimate that approximately a further 40 staff are currently involved in this work across England.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4047 label Biography information for Tom Greatrex

46525

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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
	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 assessment he has made of the threat to the UK's environment from invasive alien plant species.
	tabling member constituency	Sleaford and North Hykeham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Phillips
	uin	194969
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain sets out our mechanism for addressing non-native species, including plants. The strategy includes a comprehensive risk assessment mechanism to assess the potential negative impacts of non-native species, including threats to the environment. To date 126 risk assessments have been completed or are in progress. Of these, 58 are plant species.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	4054 label Biography information for Stephen Phillips

44564

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reassure consumers, who for religious or other reasons do not wish to consume halal or kosher meats, about the provenance of the meat they buy, in the absence of any informative labelling as to the method of slaughter used.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rana
	uin	HL6221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government is of the view that consumers should have the necessary information available to them to make an informed choice about their food. Any method of slaughter labelling system needs to cover more than just the UK. We are awaiting the results of an European Commission study on method-of-slaughter labelling, which is due this summer. We will look at possible options in light of that report.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
	tabling member	3689 label Biography information for Lord Rana

44898

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the breakdown of departmental spending in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on catering, hospitality and refreshments in (1) 2008–09, and (2) 2009–10.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Seccombe
	uin	HL6301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>This table sets out the information requested, in respect of Core Defra.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>£</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2008-09</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2009-10</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Catering and Hospitality</strong></p></td><td><p>426,317</p></td><td><p>545,253</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Refreshments</strong></p></td><td><p>18,574</p></td><td><p>7,114</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>The figures for Catering and Hospitality include a subsidy paid to the Department's providers of in-house catering, hospitality and refreshments. The Department no longer pays such a subsidy.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
	tabling member	2097 label Biography information for Baroness Seccombe

44910

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord de Mauley on 19 March (WA 34–5), what discussions they have had with the Environment Agency in recent years about the case for, and value of, dredging; and whether Ministers considered at any point the Environmental Agency's plans for the Somerset Levels.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morris of Aberavon
	uin	HL6313
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>We have had frequent discussions with the Environment Agency over the last few years about flood risk management, including the contribution and value of dredging, in Somerset and across the country. We have also been kept up to date with Environment Agency's plans for the Somerset Levels.</p><p>The Environment Agency will continue to undertake dredging where it is shown to be a genuinely cost effective way of managing flood risk, taking account of the other options available. In some areas, dredging will be the most cost effective approach. In others, it would divert resources away from other flood risk management activities which are far more beneficial to local communities, such as maintaining pumps, sluice gates or raised embankments. The Environment Agency will therefore continue to review the case for dredging area by area, given its variable impact on reducing flood risk.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
	tabling member	565 label Biography information for Lord Morris of Aberavon

46252

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 fires were reported at privately-owned waste management sites in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Blaenau Gwent
	tabling member printed	Nick Smith
	uin	194778
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Environment Agency records show that there were a total of 595 incidents of fire reported at privately operated waste management sites in 2012 and 2013. This represents an average of one fire for every 18 privately operated sites.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	3928 label Biography information for Nick Smith

46253

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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
	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 fires were reported at local authority-owned waste management sites in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Blaenau Gwent
	tabling member printed	Nick Smith
	uin	194779
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Environment Agency records show that there were a total of five incidents of fire reported at local authority-operated waste management sites in 2012 and 2013. This represents an average of one fire for every 110 local authority-operated waste management sites.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
	tabling member	3928 label Biography information for Nick Smith