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1470900

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2022
	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	Furs: Imports
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the value of imported products made from rabbit fur to the UK economy, and (2) the cost of a ban on the importation of such products would have on the UK economy.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data for 2019 indicates approximate values of £52,911,000 gross imports to the UK for raw furskins, tanned or dressed furskins, and articles of apparel, clothing accessories and other furskin articles. HMRC does not collect data on specific fur-bearing species.</p><p> </p><p>Under existing domestic legislation it is an offence to keep animals solely or primarily for slaughter for the value of their fur. However, we do permit the import and sale of such products. The Government is committed to exploring potential action in this area in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. If any action were to be taken on fur, a full assessment of the impact on UK businesses would be conducted.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 29/06/2022 16:38:34 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1470899

	registered interest
	date	15/06/2022
	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	Animal Breeding: UK Trade with EU
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the difficulties in exporting farm animals for breeding purposes to the EU because of a lack of facilities to take them; and what steps they will take to ease the export of such animals.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL998
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>The construction and management of live animal Border Control Posts (BCPs) in the EU are commercial activities, and it falls on EU countries and competent authorities to approve the designation and operation of such facilities. As such, Defra is supporting National Farmers' Union and other industry bodies' efforts to push for the construction and designation of an appropriate BCP for livestock; specifically, through data collection and sharing to support the commercial case for such a facility, and through diplomatic channels to support the designation and approval process.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 29/06/2022 15:41:32 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1248579

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Nature Conservation: Fines
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what happens to the fines levied under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and what plans they have, if any, to use any money raised by such fines solely for the benefit of wildlife and endangered species.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9941
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2020 answer text <p>CITES offences and penalties are used as a deterrent to illegal wildlife trade which in turn protects wildlife and endangered species. The collection of fines resulting from convictions under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations (COTES) is undertaken by HM Courts &amp; Tribunals Service.</p><p> </p><p>With the agreement of HM Treasury (HMT), as part of its Spending Round 2015 settlement the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been permitted to retain receipts from all fine collections. These receipts form part of the overall settlement provided by HMT to MoJ to operate the Courts and Tribunals Service and are used for this purpose.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 17/11/2020 14:12:29 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1248578

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animals: Nature Conservation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the power to prohibit the holding of specimens including live animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has been removed; if so, (1) why, and (2) what plans they have to reverse any such removal.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9940
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2020 answer text <p>The Environment and Wildlife (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 do not lessen government powers or weaken our implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The provision in Council Regulation 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein states that Member States ‘may prohibit the holding of specimens, in particular live animals of the species listed in Annex A’.</p><p> </p><p>Rather than conferring any legislative powers, this provision simply states that EU Member States have discretion to act should it be considered necessary. At the end of the Transition Period, the UK will continue to be able to act, meaning the inclusion of the provision in retained direct EU legislation would be an unnecessary statement of the government’s ability to put in place legislation. Its omission does not lessen existing powers or weaken our controls on endangered species.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 17/11/2020 14:20:39 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1248577

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Scientific Review Group
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what relationship they plan to have with the EU's Scientific Review Group after 1 January 2021.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9939
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2020 answer text <p>As we have left the EU we will no longer participate in, or be bound by, EU structures, including the EU Scientific Review Group which comprises representatives from EU Member States’ Scientific Authorities. Our Scientific Authorities, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, will continue to provide scientific advice on a range of CITES matters and collaborate internationally with other CITES Scientific Authorities to ensure we remain a world leader in environmental protection.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 17/11/2020 14:25:39 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1248008

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Sky Lanterns
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the damage caused by sky lanterns; and what plans they have to impose a national ban on such lanterns in rural areas.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2020 answer text <p>In 2013, the UK and Welsh Governments jointly commissioned an independent study looking at the impacts of sky lanterns and helium balloons on livestock and the environment. The report concluded that the impact was generally low, though did highlight a potential fire safety risk.</p><p> </p><p>Any action the Government takes must be proportionate to the level of risk and we have concluded, based on the results of this research, that an outright ban would be disproportionate in the circumstances. Should evidence that this approach is no longer sufficient arise, we will take the necessary action.</p><p> </p><p>We do recognise the need to protect our environment and wildlife and have therefore used media messaging to encourage people and businesses to consider the risks before releasing lanterns.</p><p> </p><p>There may be times when a local ban is appropriate as part of a wider strategic approach. and local authorities already have powers to restrict or ban the use of sky lanterns on council or public land. Many councils in England, Scotland and Wales have applied such a ban. We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and materials to take a systematic approach to reducing the use of single-use products.</p><p> </p><p>Voluntary actions and initiatives aimed at minimising the risks associated with sky lanterns and driving up safety standards have been effective. This includes a voluntary Code of Practice for sky lanterns developed by industry with Government support to ensure that they are manufactured to be safe and are sold responsibly. Sky lanterns also fall in scope of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 which oblige producers and distributors to place only safe consumer products on the market.</p><p> </p><p>As the law stands in England, it is conceivable that a magistrates’ court would conclude that a release of sky lanterns constitutes a littering offence. Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 says: “A person is guilty of an offence if he throws down, drops or otherwise deposits any litter in any place to which this section applies and leaves it”. Ultimately it would be for a court to rule whether this phrase would cover sky lantern releases.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 17/11/2020 12:08:26 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1470457

	registered interest
	date	14/06/2022
	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	Agricultural Products: UK Trade with EU
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the EU's request in September 2021 for consolidated versions of Sanitary and Phytosanitary legislation integrating recent amendments to be made available as soon as possible, when they intend to make these versions available to the relevant Trade Specialised Committee.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL949
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2022 answer text <p>We have informed the EU that consolidated versions of legislation are publicly accessible on www.legislation.gov.uk, and are made available as soon as possible.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 29/06/2022 15:53:08 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1244646

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Export Health Certificates
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of export health certificates for animal products that will need to be issued from 1 January 2021; and what is their current capacity for issuing these certificates.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9302
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>New requirements for export health certificates (EHCs) for goods moving from Great Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021 may increase demand for EHCs for products of animal origin (POAO) by up to five times, compared with the approximately 57,000 issued for third country trade in 2017. To meet this possible demand, we have increased the number of Official Vets (OVs) holding the relevant qualification to certify POAO exports from around 600 in February 2019 to more than 1200 today, with further funded training announced on 1 October 2020. In addition, around 1000 Food Competent Certifying Officers (FCCOs) working in 153 different local authorities across Great Britain can certify some exports and therefore contribute towards certification capacity. We have also introduced the role of Certification Support Officers (CSOs) to help reduce the burden on OVs and FCCOs. CSOs are able to carry out preliminary and administrative work to prepare consignments for export. On 1 October, we announced additional funded training to help increase the number of CSOs from 96 qualified and authorised by APHA.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 02/11/2020 17:48:26 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1244644

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Veterinary Services: Recruitment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the UK is facing a critical shortage of veterinarians; and what steps they are taking to increase veterinary capacity.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>The Department is aware of staff shortages within the veterinary profession which has an existing job vacancy rate of around 10%. Defra is working with the UK veterinary profession to address the UK’s veterinary resourcing needs and to ensure capacity in both the short and long term.</p><p> </p><p>With support from stakeholders, the Department was successful in ensuring that veterinarians were added to the UK Shortage Occupation List in September 2019. This will make it easier for UK employers to recruit vets from overseas. Additionally, two new veterinary schools have been opened to expand the number of UK veterinary graduates in the future.</p><p> </p><p>To support official veterinarians further, Defra created a Certification Support Officer (CSO) role to help work on export certification. Additionally, to ease the burden of statutory TB skin testing of cattle, from 2 November 2020, Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs) can be employed and trained by private veterinary businesses in England.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 02/11/2020 17:17:26 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1244105

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Peatlands: Controlled Burning
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Burning as a tool for the restoration of upland blanket bog: Position Statement by Natural England, published in February 2019, which advises that "in exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate to carry out a one-off burn for the purposes of restoration"; and what steps they intend to take in response to that advice before imposing any blanket ban on such burning.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9241
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2020 answer text <p>The Government has always been clear of the need to phase out rotational burning of protected blanket bog to conserve these vulnerable habitats, and we are looking at how legislation could achieve this. Real progress is being made in promoting sustainable alternatives. We have urged landowners to adopt these and continue to work with them constructively.</p><p> </p><p>Any legislative proposals will be developed with consideration of the expert advice of Natural England. These considerations are complex, but it is important that we take the right steps to restore and protect this valuable habitat.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 29/10/2020 16:11:28 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering