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1133850

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Radioactive Waste
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the environmental effects of the dumping of radioactive waste in Hurd Deep and Atlantic Deep as detailed in the Ministry of Defence archived document entitled British Isles Explosive Dumping Grounds.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh North and Leith
	tabling member printed	Deidre Brock
	uin	267753
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>Dumping of radioactive waste (before being banned under the London Convention of 1972 for highly contaminated and in 1993 for low contaminated waste) was subject to approval by the MAFF Approval Committee, whose procedures included careful checks on the containment and transport of the waste. Both the Hurd Deep and Atlantic Deep sites have been subject to monitoring.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Hurd Deep:</strong></p><p> </p><p>From 1946 to 1993, the UK disposed of amounts of both civilian and radioactive waste at sea, in accordance with national policy and legislation, and with later international agreements regulating such disposals. These disposals were seen at the time as routine and uncontroversial.</p><p> </p><p>The total estimated activities in curies (TBq) for these dumpings were: Alpha activity, 400 curies (14.8 TBq); Beta-Gamma activity, 1,200 curies (44.4 TBq). The very low active waste (mainly sludges) dumped into the Hurd Deep was packed in approved light metal drums to permit rapid dispersion of the contents. The UK regularly monitors the Channel Island States and report the results in the annually produced RIFE (Radioactivity in Food and the Environment) report series. These reports can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactivity-in-food-and-the-environment-rife-reports" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactivity-in-food-and-the-environment-rife-reports</a></p><p> </p><p>In addition, Cefas and the Food Standards Agency have jointly published a peer reviewed paper (MARINE RADIOACTIVITY IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS, 1990 – 2009) which looked further at time trends over around 20 years. UK monitoring shows that there is no evidence for significant releases of radioactivity from the Hurd Deep site and the effects of discharges from local sources have continued to be of negligible radiological significance.</p><p> </p><p><strong>North Atlantic Dump site:</strong></p><p> </p><p>The Nuclear Energy Agency’s (NEA) surveillance of the North-East Atlantic dump site used by OECD/NEA member countries (including the UK) started in 1977 and ended in 1995. In 1985, the OECD/NEA Co-ordinated Research and Environmental Surveillance Programme (CRESP) delivered a report on the dump site. The report concluded that the North-East Atlantic dump site posed negligible human radiological risk although the report noted that in the absence of baseline data on the benthic biology, it was difficult to draw firm conclusions about the environmental impacts. A new report on the dump site conducted by CRESP in 1996 reached the same conclusions.</p><p> </p><p>A summary of the “Historic Dumping of Low-Level Radioactive Waste in the North-East Atlantic” was recently compiled by the Radioactive Substances Committee of OSPAR. OSPAR’s document can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.ospar.org/site/assets/files/1173/factsheet_historic_dumping_final.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ospar.org/site/assets/files/1173/factsheet_historic_dumping_final.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 28/06/2019 15:32:54 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4417 label Biography information for Deidre Brock

1133865

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Fisheries: Sustainable Development
	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 steps he has taken to ensure that commercial fishing becomes more sustainable (a) in the UK and (b) globally.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	267724
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government remains fully committed to sustainable fisheries management and the principle of maximum sustainable yield (MSY). This will not change once we are outside the EU.</p><p> </p><p>In recent years we have successfully introduced a range of selectivity and spatial avoidance measures in our fisheries to help reduce unwanted bycatch and discarding, including cod in the Irish Sea nephrops fishery. In the North Sea, a fleet of vessels participating in an annual scheme to fully document catches have successfully cut their unwanted catch of unmarketable fish, including undersized fish, from their mixed fishery. We also continue to take a strong and principled position on sustainable fishing internationally, including most recently calling for reductions in catches of yellowfin tuna at the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, and arguing against an in year increase in the total allowable catch for North East Atlantic mackerel as part of a balanced sustainable approach.</p><p> </p><p>The Fisheries Bill introduced to Parliament in October 2018 provides a framework to enable us to continue to push for more stocks being fished at MSY and delivering our ambition for sustainable fishing in the future. The first clause will enact several sustainability objectives, one of which is to restore fish stocks to levels capable of producing MSY. The Bill provides for a binding duty on the UK and devolved administrations to produce a statutory Joint Fisheries Statement. This statement must include policies for the achievement of the sustainability objectives.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 26/06/2019 13:01:33 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1133868

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Wood-burning Stoves
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government is reviewing the planning regulations on the installation of wood burning stove chimneys near residential properties as part of the ongoing review into domestic fuel burners.
	tabling member constituency	Cheltenham
	tabling member printed	Alex Chalk
	uin	267761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>No. The focus is on the fuels used and guidance on how stoves should be best used.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 28/06/2019 15:44:57 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk

1133881

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Schools
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on improving air quality around schools.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	267708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.</p><p> </p><p>No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795185/Review_of_interventions_to_improve_air_quality.pdf" target="_blank">Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health</a>. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:</p><p> </p><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p><ul><li>London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).</li><li>Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)</li></ul><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p><ul><li>Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).</li><li>Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).</li><li>East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).</li><li>Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).</li></ul><p><strong>2018/19</strong></p><ul><li>Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)</li><li>Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).</li><li>Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)</li><li>Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).</li></ul> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 267709 267710 267711 question first answered 26/06/2019 12:05:28 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1133883

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Schools
	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 estimate he has made of the number of schoolchildren exposed to high levels of air pollution in 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	267709
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.</p><p> </p><p>No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795185/Review_of_interventions_to_improve_air_quality.pdf" target="_blank">Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health</a>. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:</p><p> </p><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p><ul><li>London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).</li><li>Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)</li></ul><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p><ul><li>Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).</li><li>Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).</li><li>East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).</li><li>Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).</li></ul><p><strong>2018/19</strong></p><ul><li>Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)</li><li>Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).</li><li>Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)</li><li>Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).</li></ul> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 267708 267710 267711 question first answered 26/06/2019 12:05:29 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1133884

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Schools
	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 the air quality grant programme has been allocated to improve air quality around schools since 2017.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	267710
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.</p><p> </p><p>No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795185/Review_of_interventions_to_improve_air_quality.pdf" target="_blank">Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health</a>. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:</p><p> </p><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p><ul><li>London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).</li><li>Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)</li></ul><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p><ul><li>Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).</li><li>Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).</li><li>East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).</li><li>Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).</li></ul><p><strong>2018/19</strong></p><ul><li>Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)</li><li>Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).</li><li>Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)</li><li>Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).</li></ul> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 267708 267709 267711 question first answered 26/06/2019 12:05:29 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1133885

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Schools
	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 estimate he has made of the number of school children exposed to high levels of air pollution in 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Twickenham
	tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
	uin	267711
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministers across Government Departments about air pollution and how to reduce it.</p><p> </p><p>No estimate has been made by the Government. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality, and are required to review and assess local air quality and to take action where there are high levels of air pollution. They have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools. In March this year Public Health England published the report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/795185/Review_of_interventions_to_improve_air_quality.pdf" target="_blank">Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health</a>. This recommended that local authorities, as part of their local Review of interventions to improve outdoor air quality and public health consider a range of interventions to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools and reduce children’s exposure accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The following air quality grant award money has been allocated specifically to improve air quality around schools since 2017:</p><p> </p><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p><ul><li>London Borough of Islington Local school focused awareness and engagement campaign (£50,000).</li><li>Sheffield City Council Air Aware communications campaign (engaging local GPs, community groups and schools) (£50,000)</li></ul><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p><ul><li>Blaby District Council Schools and SMEs behavioural change and action plan (£59,000).</li><li>Canterbury City Council Awareness campaign in schools and community on transport and domestic burning stoves (£33,354).</li><li>East Sussex County Council (with West Sussex, Brighton, Chichester, Horsham, Adur, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Worthing, Lewes) Action plan for schools and businesses in AQMAs (£105,900).</li><li>Spelthorne Borough Council (Surrey Air Alliance) Awareness campaign in schools across the county (£145,188).</li></ul><p><strong>2018/19</strong></p><ul><li>Colchester Borough Council Engagement and awareness project throughout the transport network to promote air quality awareness and transport choices in schools (£249,100)</li><li>Hertsmere Borough Council Cleaner Air 4 Hertsmere Schools awareness project to influence travel behaviour (£37,500).</li><li>Islington London Borough Council NO2 indoor study in school to test sensor performance and efficiency of filter systems (£20,000)</li><li>Slough Borough Council Testing of Vaisla sensors around schools to monitor AQ and use data to promote behaviour change (£99,125).</li></ul> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 267708 267709 267710 question first answered 26/06/2019 12:05:29 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1133898

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Animal Welfare: Sentencing
	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 introduce tougher sentences for animal cruelty.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	267787
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>I am pleased to report that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 26 June. The Bill, when passed, will increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 from 6 months’ imprisonment to 5 years’ imprisonment.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 01/07/2019 13:43:58 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1133565

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Clothing: Waste
	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 progress the Government is making on implementing the amendments to the Waste Framework Directive which requires separate collection of clothing waste from households and increased re-use of textiles by 2025.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	267212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Latest information from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) indicates that 90 local authorities in England offer households a kerbside collection of textiles. Many more provide collection points at household waste recycling centres or at bring bank sites. These bring sites provide an important service where kerbside collections are not available or may not be practical. Charity shop outlets also play an important role in acting as collection points for textiles from members of the public. We want to increase the amount of textiles that are diverted from landfill and put into recycling or reuse, and will bring forward proposals as necessary to ensure separate collection of textiles by 2025.</p><p> </p><p>More widely, the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy published in December 2018 sets out our plans to prevent textile waste and encourage greater circularity including reuse. These include:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Reviewing and consulting on Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles and four other priority waste streams;</li><li>Developing regulatory measures for product standards that improve the durability, repairability, and recyclability of products such as clothing;</li><li>Improving consumer information and supporting a shift in the market;</li><li>Working with brands, manufacturers, charities and others through the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan to reduce the environmental footprint of clothing and encourage consumers to donate and reuse clothing.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This month, we have also announced a multimillion pound grant scheme to support the development of textile recycling facilities in the UK. Further information on this is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fund-opens-to-reduce-waste-from-plastic-packaging-and-textiles" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fund-opens-to-reduce-waste-from-plastic-packaging-and-textiles</a> and applications for funding can be made through WRAP: <a href="http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/resource-action-fund" target="_blank">http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/resource-action-fund</a>.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/06/2019 15:26:30 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1133579

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Subsidies
	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 Environmental Land Management scheme pilots have been identified and agreed; what the names are of those pilots; how many of those pilots are (a) underway and (b) pending; and how many applications were rejected.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	267163
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Environmental Land Management schemes (ELM) are scheduled to be rolled out from late 2024, with a national pilot beginning in late 2021. Detailed planning of the pilot is in train. The pilot will run for three years and will aim to assess the end-to-end operability and deliverability of the scheme, and allow us to identify and refine any issues or barriers that occur in practice.</p><p> </p><p>To support the development of ELM we are undertaking a number of test and trials. The work is being facilitated by a range of stakeholders, including farmer groups, representative bodies and non-governmental organisations, and it covers a range of geographies and sectors. 47 proposals are being taken forward in phase 1. We are working closely with stakeholders to finalise these. Depending on the complexity of the test or trial we anticipate the first of these commencing shortly. We have received over 200 proposals for phase 2. We will prioritise those proposals that fill gaps in scheme delivery components, outcomes and land management sectors identified from the coverage of the first 47 proposals. At the present time, no proposals have been rejected.</p><p> </p><p>We are working with stakeholders to understand how much funding they might require from the Government to support the delivery of the tests and trials in line with value for money principles.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 25/06/2019 12:03:46 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1133580

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Whisky: Scotland
	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 contribution of the Scotch Whisky industry to (a) rural employment and (b) investment.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Martin Whitfield
	uin	267257
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Scotch Whisky industry provides vital employment and investment to communities across Scotland. It is estimated that 7,000 people are directly employed by the industry in rural areas of Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/06/2019 13:52:40 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4626 label Biography information for Martin Whitfield

1133581

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Whisky: Scotland
	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 people have been employed by the Scotch Whisky industry in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Martin Whitfield
	uin	267258
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>More than 10,500 people are directly employed in the Scotch Whisky industry in Scotland, and over 42,000 jobs across the UK are supported by the industry.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 25/06/2019 14:01:58 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4626 label Biography information for Martin Whitfield

1133582

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Rivers: Microplastics
	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 (a) track and (b) reduce the volume of microplastics in rivers; and whether his Department plans to introduce an independent regulatory body to enforce and monitor the reduction of microplastics in wastewater and rivers.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	267186
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>Defra is working with the Environment Agency, Highways England, academics and the UK water industry to understand the scale of the microplastic pollution problem and to establish detection methods to monitor, characterise and quantify the types of microplastics entering our rivers. There has been substantive research reporting the presence and impacts of microplastics in the marine environment. However, little is known about their sources, release and impact on freshwaters and their ultimate transport to the marine environment. Defra has commissioned evidence reviews to further understand these issues and will use the outcomes from these and other research to develop policy options.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has set a target to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within the lifetime of the 25 year Environment Plan (by 2042) and set aside £20 million for research and development managed through the Plastics Innovation Fund in March 2018. A further £10 million was committed in the 2018 Autumn Budget for continued/additional plastics research and development along with £10 million to pioneer innovative approaches to boosting recycling and reducing litter.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department does not plan to introduce an independent regulatory body to enforce and monitor the reduction of microplastics in wastewaters and receiving rivers.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 28/06/2019 13:58:05 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1133641

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
	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 made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the powers provided for the Caravan and Motorhome Club under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Arfon
	tabling member printed	Hywel Williams
	uin	267207
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government has not made any recent assessment of the adequacy of the powers under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, or of the merits of updating them. We are not undertaking any work to that effect.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 267208 question first answered 28/06/2019 12:29:45 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1397 label Biography information for Hywel Williams

1133643

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
	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 made an assessment of the potential merits of updating the powers of the Caravan and Motorhome Club under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Arfon
	tabling member printed	Hywel Williams
	uin	267208
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government has not made any recent assessment of the adequacy of the powers under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, or of the merits of updating them. We are not undertaking any work to that effect.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 267207 question first answered 28/06/2019 12:29:45 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1397 label Biography information for Hywel Williams

1133659

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Livestock: Animal Welfare
	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 welfare protections will be put in place for caged animals as part of the Agriculture Bill.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	267190
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare and the welfare of our farmed livestock is protected by comprehensive and robust legislation. This is backed up by statutory species specific welfare codes, which encourage high standards of husbandry and which keepers are required by law to have access to and be familiar with. Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors and local authorities conduct inspections on farms to check that the animal welfare standards are being met.</p><p> </p><p>Whatever the system of production, the most important factor in determining animal welfare is good stockmanship and the correct application of husbandry standards. This reflects the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee.</p><p> </p><p>We have already banned cages or close confinement systems where there is clear scientific evidence that they are detrimental to animal health and welfare. For example, we banned the keeping of calves in veal crates in 1990, the keeping of sows in close confinement stalls in the UK in 1999, and the use of conventional (‘battery’) cages for laying hens in 2012.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will maintain its high regulatory baseline and look to raise standards sustainably over time as new research and evidence emerges. We have been very clear that our departure from the EU will not lead to a lowering of our high animal welfare standards. Our regulatory system will offer the same level of assurance of animal welfare following exit as it does now and we are actively exploring options for strengthening the UK system moving forward. We have introduced mandatory CCTV in abattoirs and are looking to control exports of live animals for slaughter. On 26 June, the Government introduced a Bill to enable tougher prison sentences for the worst animal abusers. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill means that animal abusers could face up to five years in prison, a significant increase from the current maximum sentence of six months. Courts will be able to take a firmer approach to cases such as dog fighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, or gross neglect of farm animals.</p><p> </p><p>In England, we intend to use the powers in the Agriculture Bill to develop publicly funded schemes for farmers to deliver animal welfare enhancements beyond our high regulatory baseline that are not sufficiently rewarded by the market, and also want to provide greater transparency and certainty for consumers and for farmers. We will work with industry, retailers, welfare groups and the Farm Animal Welfare Committee to define these enhancements.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 28/06/2019 10:29:47 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1133683

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Noise: Pollution
	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 minimize the effect of human-made noise pollution on animal habitats where it affects animals' ability to communicate.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	267215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>Under the UK Marine Strategy, the UK Government is working to ensure underwater noise generating human activities do not pose a significant risk to marine ecosystems. We currently have a limited understanding of the distribution of noise in UK seas and its impact on vulnerable species. To address this in relation to sources of continuous noise such as shipping, the UK has established a noise monitoring network, consisting of long term monitoring stations deployed in coastal waters. The information from this monitoring network will be matched with species distributions and used to inform future policy.</p><p> </p><p>In order to reduce impacts, developments such as offshore wind farms are required to have pre and post consent monitoring plans which are managed by the Marine Management Organisation. For example, a Marine Mammal Mitigation Plan lists the appropriate mitigation measures that should be utilised during offshore activities that are likely to produce underwater noise and vibration levels capable of potentially causing injury and disturbance to marine mammals. Government departments including Defra and BEIS are working together to look at how underwater noise can be managed more strategically to reduce harm.</p><p> </p><p>On land, the Government is committed to ensuring that noise is managed effectively in order to promote good health and quality of life. We have protections in place to avoid significant noise impacts through our planning system, our environmental permitting systems, in vehicle and product standards, and noise abatement legislation. Defra works with other Government departments whose policies could potentially impact on noise levels.</p><p> </p><p>National Planning Policy Guidance sets out requirements for noise to be considered for new developments with particular consideration given to development affecting designated sites. Our network of designated sites are afforded the highest level of protection. Planning authorities must consider the potential impact of activities and works on or near these sites before granting consent. Noise may also be considered for certain types of development requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/06/2019 15:35:21 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1133707

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Environment Protection
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the role of Natural England in helping farmers to improve their environment.
	tabling member constituency	Totnes
	tabling member printed	Dr Sarah Wollaston
	uin	267338
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department regularly reviews Natural England’s performance including via formal Ministerial review. Natural England is required to report progress to Defra’s supervisory board and the Secretary of State.</p><p> </p><p>Natural England plays an important role in delivering the 25 Year Environment Plan, providing advice to help farmers to improve their environment. Natural England advisers provide valuable advice on how to effectively manage wildlife and habitats, promoting nature conservation and protecting biodiversity. This includes advice to help landowners set up agri-environment agreements and aftercare advice during the lifetime of the agreements, as well as for other projects that such as the ‘Back to the Brink’ species recovery project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other charitable organisations.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/06/2019 15:41:31 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4073 label Biography information for Dr Sarah Wollaston

1133754

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Plastics: Waste
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the UK's plastic waste has been shipped to other countries since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>Since 2010 the amount of plastic waste exported to other countries for reprocessing has fallen from 850,000 tonnes a year in 2010 to 600,000 tonnes in 2018. In total over this period around 7 million tonnes have been shipped. This is based on HM Revenue and Customs trade data.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is recycling more than ever, achieving a 46% plastic packaging recycling rate in 2017 and exceeding the EU target of 22.5%.The Government is clear we must export less waste and that any waste we do need to export is properly handled.</p><p> </p><p>The recently published Resources and Waste Strategy is focused on increasing the supply and demand for secondary materials to be recycled in the UK, thereby reducing exports of plastic waste. Any waste that will be managed abroad must be subject to strict controls and the government is committed to strengthening these controls.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 28/06/2019 13:24:05 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133761

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dangerous Dogs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, what discussions he has had with animal welfare organisations on changing the law to allow rehoming organisations to rehome well-behaved and suitably assessed section 1 dogs.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	267365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>Whilst there are no plans to change the law on dangerous dogs, Defra has discussed the interpretation of the existing law on dangerous dogs with stakeholders. Recent case law (<em>Webb v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary (Secretary of State for Food Environment and Rural Affairs intervening</em>) [2017] EWHC 3311 (Admin)) confirmed that the Court may award possession of a prohibited dog to the owner of the dog or to a person who has been “<em>for the time being in charge</em>” of the dog.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 27/06/2019 14:13:28 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1133790

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	River Mersey: Plastics
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Environment Agency are taking to prevent plastic factory waste from polluting the River Mersey.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
	uin	HL16541
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) regulates a number of activities locally which have the potential to cause plastic waste pollution in the River Mersey. In Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire it is responsible for the regulation of permitted and exempt plastics recycling plants, which includes reviewing inspection and compliance checks to ensure plastics recyclers are complying with their environmental permits. It is also a key partner in driving Greater Manchester’s ambition to be single use plastic free by 2020.</p><p>Across England, the EA investigates any reported incidents of plastic pollution to a watercourse should it pose a significant or major risk to people, property and the natural environment.</p><p>The EA does not monitor levels of plastic in watercourses as part of its monitoring regime as there are no current legislative requirements. However, the EA is working with Defra and academics to understand the different sources, pathways and impacts to develop consistent sampling and assessment monitoring methodologies for plastics. In 2018 the EA visited all facilities which treated or reprocessed plastic waste and checked they were not losing plastic fragments into surface water. The EA also encourages businesses to sign up to Operation Clean Sweep, a voluntary business initiative to take measures to reduce plastic pellet loss.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 04/07/2019 13:24:28 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3792 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

1133812

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Air Pollution: Health Hazards
	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 impact of air pollution on public health; whether they intend to introduce legislation to implement World Health Organization standards for fine particulate matter into forthcoming legislation; and if so, when.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL16563
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Our Clean Air Strategy recognised the impacts air pollution has on health, and proposed a range of actions to meet our existing emissions reduction commitments to 2020 and 2030 in order to reduce these impacts. The Strategy also committed to the setting of an ambitious long term air quality target to reduce the population exposure to PM2.5, and committed to publishing evidence on the feasibility of meeting World Health Organization air quality guideline levels for PM2.5. This work is ongoing and will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 04/07/2019 13:24:55 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson