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77955

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Regulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to simplify existing environmental, marine and agricultural regulations.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	205985
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>By contributing to Red Tape Challenge, Defra has reviewed over 1200 of its regulations. As a result of these reviews Defra has made commitments to revoke or improve nearly 800 regulations and as well as a number of significant non-regulatory changes that will directly benefit business and the wider public. These include the reform of all regulatory guidance produced by Defra and its agencies by spring 2015, so that users can quickly access clear information on what they need; changes to data reporting obligations, to remove any duplicate and unnecessary requests for information; and plans to explore opportunities to simplify and reduce the number of compliance inspections on farms.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>These reforms are being made without reducing existing protection of the environment or animal and plant health and are detailed in a report entitled “Defra <em>better</em> for Business: A Strategic Reform Plan for Defra Regulations” which was published on 9 April 2014[1]. Defra is working to deliver the vast majority of these proposals by April 2015 so that benefits can be felt quickly. Current estimates suggest that business could by then be saving £300million per year as a result of these reforms.</p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302112/pb14166-defra-better-for-business.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/302112/pb14166-defra-better-for-business.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 21/07/2014 14:05:53 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

77956

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Bees
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 her most recent estimate is of the UK population of each species of bumble bee; and what steps she is taking to increase the numbers.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	205771
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>It is not possible to estimate the number of each species of bumblebee in the UK. We have made an assessment of trends in bumblebee populations from occurrence or distribution data collected by volunteer groups. Of the 26 bumblebee species which have been recorded in the UK, two have been declared extinct in the last century. One new species has arrived and another is being re-introduced. Bumblebee diversity generally decreased in Great Britain between 1950 and 1989, although the rate of decline appears to be slowing in more recent decades.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Defra supports a number of initiatives that directly benefit bumblebees and other insect pollinators. Building on these initiatives, we are working with stakeholders to develop a National Pollinator Strategy. This will contain a series of policy actions to safeguard pollinators. We have also commissioned a two-year research project to develop and test a programme to monitor pollinators.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>On 18 July we launched our pollinator call to action, ‘Bees’ Needs: Food and a Home’. This is a simple message for all land managers on the essential needs of pollinators and how to fulfil them. By making a few simple changes to our land management practices, we can make a positive difference for pollinators, including bumblebees.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 22/07/2014 12:04:11 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

77957

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Billing
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 value is of duplicate supplier payments identified by her Department since 2010; and what proportion of such payments have since been recovered in each of the last two financial years.
tabling member constituency	West Bromwich East
tabling member printed	Mr Tom Watson
uin	205971
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Core Defra has controls in place to prevent duplicate payments being made to suppliers. These include careful checking of each invoice against evidence of delivery and against any previous payments in respect of the relevant purchase order. External and internal audit reviews of key financial controls have found no evidence of weakness that would lead to duplicate payments. There are also regular reviews of expenditure against budgets which would quickly bring to light unexpected payments and would lead to immediate action for recovery.</p><p> </p><p>Core Defra is carrying out a Spend Recovery Audit, as part of a Cabinet Office initiative on fraud and error which we expect to conclude by Autumn 2014.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 21/07/2014 16:41:33 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
tabling member	1463 label Biography information for Lord Watson of Wyre Forest

77958

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Common Agricultural Policy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effects of the CAP reforms on farmers.
tabling member constituency	Ogmore
tabling member printed	Huw Irranca-Davies
uin	205877
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer of 23 June 2014, Official Report, column 63W.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 21/07/2014 13:40:15 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1476 label Biography information for Huw Irranca-Davies

77960

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Landfill
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the success of steps taken to meet the 2013 and 2020 EU Landfill Directive.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	205986
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>We are confident that we will have met the 2013 landfill diversion target and will meet the 2020 target set out in the EU Landfill Directive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In October 2013 we published an analysis of progress against the 2020 target, which can be found on the GOV.UK website at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/forecasting-2020-waste-arisings-and-treatment-capacity-norfolk-county-council-residual-waste-treatment-project" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/forecasting-2020-waste-arisings-and-treatment-capacity-norfolk-county-council-residual-waste-treatment-project</a> . The analysis concludes that there is a high likelihood of meeting or exceeding the 2020 target.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Landfill tax is a key instrument to meeting the landfill diversion targets along with our policies and initiatives such as support of infrastructure to divert waste from landfill through the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 21/07/2014 15:35:12 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

77961

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Peatlands
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to restore upland peat sites.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	205987
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Defra has a range of measures in place to support the restoration of upland peat sites. These include protection through statutory area designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). In addition there are specific incentives for peatland restoration in agri-environment schemes. In 2013 we committed £31.2 million through Environmental Stewardship (covering around 98,000ha) to management options for the maintenance and restoration of moorland habitats. A further £4.1million was committed in capital grants for grip blocking. These are the key options in Environmental Stewardship that contribute to the management of upland peat. This support will continue to be provided under the new environmental land management scheme.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>The Dark Peak Nature Improvement Area (NIA) in the Peak District, one of the twelve NIAs announced in 2012, is focused on improving upland peatland habitats across an area of 25,000ha.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>In September 2013 we launched the pilot UK Peatland Code which provides a basis for business sponsorship of peatland restoration. An initial suite of restoration projects from across the UK have been identified covering over 25,000 ha of mainly blanket bog.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Upland peat restoration is also being addressed through Defra’s Research and Development Programme, with over £1 million committed between 2010 and 2015 to identify restoration techniques with the best environmental outcomes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Cornwall answering member printed Dan Rogerson question first answered 22/07/2014 10:55:59 answering member 1504 label Biography information for Dan Rogerson
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

77962

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Game: Birds
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 her Department's study to determine whether cage-based breeding can meet the needs of game birds, reference AW1303 has made; what the cost of that study was; and for what reason the findings of that study have not been published.
tabling member constituency	Ogmore
tabling member printed	Huw Irranca-Davies
uin	206013
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The study commissioned by Defra to provide scientific evidence on whether cage-based breeding for pheasants and partridges can fully meet birds’ needs has been completed and is now being peer-reviewed. The study was commissioned in 2009 and was due to cost approximately £800,000. In 2010 Ministers reduced the cost to £426,000. The study will be published once the peer review is complete, later this year.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 01/09/2014 14:20:15 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1476 label Biography information for Huw Irranca-Davies

77963

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
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 Government's position is in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations on future-proofing UK and EU standards of consumer and worker protection, animal welfare and environmental sustainability following the conclusion of those negotiations.
tabling member constituency	Ogmore
tabling member printed	Huw Irranca-Davies
uin	205724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government wants to preserve the ability of the UK and EU to set and regulate standards for a range of issues (including consumer and worker protection, animal welfare and environmental sustainability) in order to address our future needs. The Government therefore wishes to enhance cooperation between the EU and US, without affecting the ability of governments to set policy on these issues.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 22/07/2014 10:11:23 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1476 label Biography information for Huw Irranca-Davies

77964

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	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 the Government's position is in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations on any weakening of farm animal welfare provisions in the UK; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Ogmore
tabling member printed	Huw Irranca-Davies
uin	205733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government continues to support the European Commission in seeking equivalence in animal welfare standards between the EU and US as an important part of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations and will strongly resist any attempts to undermine our high national standards or those of our Community partners.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In parallel, we are working with the European Commission through the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to ensure that global standards of animal welfare match those of the EU.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 22/07/2014 10:26:12 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1476 label Biography information for Huw Irranca-Davies

77965

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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
hansard heading	Genetically Modified Organisms: Labelling
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 Government's position is in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations on labelling of products containing GM in the UK food chain; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Ogmore
tabling member printed	Huw Irranca-Davies
uin	205728
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">This issue has yet to be discussed in detail within the framework of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. The Government will consider its negotiation position based on a range of factors including the environmental impact and public health benefit of such anti-microbial treatments that can reduce potential for foodborne illness.</del></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The existing EU rules which require GM-derived food to be labelled are not expected to be discussed or reviewed as part of the negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.</ins></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 22/07/2014 10:12:20 question first ministerially corrected 25/07/2014 08:04:43 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice previous answer version 11865 answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	1476 label Biography information for Huw Irranca-Davies