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1077515

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	Nature Conservation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to preserve rare and native breeds by categorising genetic resources as public goods.
tabling member constituency	South Suffolk
tabling member printed	James Cartlidge
uin	226184
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>The Agriculture Bill sets out an ambitious future for farming outside of the EU, moving towards a system where public money is invested in things which the public value, in particular protecting and enhancing our environment. Public goods include clean air, clean and plentiful water, and thriving plants and wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>Farmers and land managers can deliver these public goods through managing their assets. Genetic resources are an important asset. For example, preserving genetic resources can strengthen pest and disease resilience which contributes towards improving the health and welfare of livestock (clause 1(1)(f) of Agriculture Bill). Similarly, grazing native, local breeds in upland areas can contribute towards enhancement of our cultural and natural heritage (clause 1(1)(c) of Agriculture Bill).</p><p><em> </em></p><p>The financial assistance powers in clause 1(1) and 1(2) in the Agriculture Bill could be used to support genetic resources where this contributes to the delivery of the purpose set out in the clause.</p><p><em> </em></p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/03/2019 12:06:44 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge

1077556

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	Horses: North West
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department holds information on the (a) number and (b) location of roadside sites where horses are tethered throughout (i) North West England and (ii) Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Preston
tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
uin	226052
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra is keen to ensure that we uphold our high standards of welfare including in relation to tethering. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) it is an offence to fail to provide for an animal’s welfare or to cause it any unnecessary suffering. Local authorities and the police have powers under the 2006 Act to seize any animal that is suffering unnecessarily and investigate allegations of cruelty or poor welfare.</p><p> </p><p>The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids (the Code). The Code provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals and includes a specific section on how to tether horses and other animals covered. If anyone is concerned about the way a horse or other animal has been tethered they should report the matter either to the relevant local authority or to the RSPCA or World Horse Welfare who can investigate.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the Government does not hold records on the number or sites of tethered animals, we have provided local authorities and the police with powers to deal with instances of poorly tethered horses.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 05/03/2019 11:19:03 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1077578

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	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) prevent microplastics from entering the natural environment and (b) tackle the damage caused by microplastics that are in the natural environment.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	226197
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>Defra funded a 5-year-long study to investigate the potential harm caused by microplastics in the marine environment. On the basis of the results of this study, last year we introduced one of the world’s strongest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products. Microbeads, like other microplastics, do not biodegrade and therefore accumulate in the environment.</p><p> </p><p>To address the evidence gaps surrounding other sources of microplastics, we are funding research by the University of Plymouth into textiles and tyres which are estimated to be significant sources of microplastics in the marine environment.</p><p> </p><p>Water infrastructure is an important pathway for contaminants, including microplastics, to enter the aquatic environment. We are working with water companies and researchers to understand the scale of the issue, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment systems at removing microplastics and assess the impacts of microplastics in aquatic environments.</p><p> </p><p>Our priority will continue to be preventing plastic entering the environment in the first place and eliminating avoidable plastic waste over the lifetime of the 25 Year Environment Plan. The Resources and Waste Strategy, published in December last year, sets out our plans to eliminate avoidable plastic waste. We will take action at each stage of the product lifecycle: production, consumption and end of life.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/03/2019 09:08:16 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1077589

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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
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 phase out the (a) production and (b) use of unneeded plastics.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	226198
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>This Government is taking action to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. We have introduced one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and have significantly reduced the use of plastic bags by around 86% with our 5p carrier bag charge. We recognise that more needs to be done, which is why we have set out an ambitious approach in our 25 Year Environment Plan.</p><p> </p><p>The Resources and Waste Strategy, published December last year, sets out our plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. We will take action at each stage of the product lifecycle: production, consumption and end of life. At the production stage, this includes encouraging producers to take more responsibility for the environmental impact of their products and making sure plastic items are more carefully designed. At the consumer stage we want to reduce demand for single-use plastic. At the end of life stage, we will make it easier for people to recycle and increase the amount of plastic being recycled.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has set out proposals to reform the current packaging producer responsibility regulations, invoking the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle to financially incentivise producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of packaging they place on the market. This includes mechanisms to incentivise better design, encourage the use of recycled material and ensure that producers pay the full costs of disposal for packaging they place on the market. These measures aim to reduce the amount of unnecessary and difficult to recycle packaging and increase the amount of packaging that can and is recycled, including plastic packaging. We are currently consulting on these proposals in conjunction with the Scottish Government. The consultation will close on 13 May and can be accessed at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plans-to-overhaul-waste-system" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plans-to-overhaul-waste-system</a>.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/03/2019 15:20:32 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1077617

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to increase animal welfare standards after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	226199
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government has been very clear that leaving the EU will not lead to a lowering of our high animal welfare standards, and is making good on our commitment to make the UK a world leader in the care and protection of animals as we leave the EU.</p><p>Our regulatory system will offer at least the same level of assurance of animal welfare following our departure from the EU as it does now. The EU Withdrawal Act will ensure that existing EU standards are maintained once we leave the EU. For instance, existing bans on imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone beef have been transferred into UK law and will remain in place after we leave.</p><p>We are actively exploring options for strengthening the UK system moving forward. These include plans to increase maximum penalties for animal cruelty from six months’ to five years’ imprisonment. We are also considering what more can be done to improve animal welfare standards in the context of our future agricultural policy and are looking to control exports of live animals for slaughter.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 226212 question first answered 05/03/2019 10:22:05 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1077669

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	Sea Bass
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 will take to tackle the problem of illegal landing of undersized bass; and for what reason the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority might face a legal challenge if they prohibited gill net meshes from 89 mm to 109 mm in order to stop this practice.
tabling member constituency	North Cornwall
tabling member printed	Scott Mann
uin	226177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>There are clear rules in place requiring that undersized catches of species not yet subject to the landing obligation, such as bass, are not retained on board, trans-shipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately to the sea. This is a long standing principle which will continue to be enforced accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are independent statutory authorities and have direct responsibility for the protection of sea fisheries resources in their districts, and for the sustainable management of their exploitation. When an activity is occurring, or may occur, that is likely to impact the marine environment, the IFCA, as regulator, is expected to consider the significance of this within its district. Cornwall IFCA recently considered using its powers under Section 157(2) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to introduce an emergency byelaw to address bass netting issues. However, this was judged to not fully meet the qualifying criteria for an emergency byelaw as stated in the Act and could potentially be challenged on those grounds.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/03/2019 12:17:39 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4496 label Biography information for Scott Mann

1077703

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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: Liverpool City Region
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 Liverpool City Region Mayor on tackling air pollution in the Liverpool City Region area.
tabling member constituency	Wallasey
tabling member printed	Ms Angela Eagle
uin	226061
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs attended the Clean Air Summit on 14 February with the Liverpool City Region Mayor and city leaders from across the country.</p><p> </p><p>A range of issues were discussed at the Summit including the ambitious goals set out in our new Clean Air Strategy, the need to focus on reducing emissions from a variety of sources, and support for local authorities with powers and funding.</p><p> </p><p>Defra officials have regular and ongoing engagement with those local authorities named in the 2017 Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations to support them in considering measures to address nitrogen dioxide exceedances in their areas, including Liverpool City Council.</p><p> </p><p>Liverpool City Council have been directed to develop a local plan by 31 October 2019 and on 28 February this year presented an update on their plan to senior representatives in the Joint Air Quality Unit.</p><p> </p><p>Due to the highly localised nature of the problem, local knowledge is crucial in solving pollution problems in these hotspots. Local authorities, including Liverpool, are considering a range of measures to tackle their nitrogen dioxide exceedances, including, where appropriate, charging Clean Air Zones.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/03/2019 09:19:17 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	491 label Biography information for Dame Angela Eagle

1077721

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to maintain animal rights through legislation after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Southport
tabling member printed	Damien Moore
uin	226212
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government has been very clear that leaving the EU will not lead to a lowering of our high animal welfare standards, and is making good on our commitment to make the UK a world leader in the care and protection of animals as we leave the EU.</p><p>Our regulatory system will offer at least the same level of assurance of animal welfare following our departure from the EU as it does now. The EU Withdrawal Act will ensure that existing EU standards are maintained once we leave the EU. For instance, existing bans on imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone beef have been transferred into UK law and will remain in place after we leave.</p><p>We are actively exploring options for strengthening the UK system moving forward. These include plans to increase maximum penalties for animal cruelty from six months’ to five years’ imprisonment. We are also considering what more can be done to improve animal welfare standards in the context of our future agricultural policy and are looking to control exports of live animals for slaughter.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 226199 question first answered 05/03/2019 10:22:05 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4669 label Biography information for Damien Moore

1077740

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	Solid Fuels: Heating
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 Culture, Media and Sport on the potential effect on heritage railways of the proposals outlined in the consultation on the cleaner domestic burning of solid fuels and wood; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Shipley
tabling member printed	Philip Davies
uin	226080
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2019 answer text <p>The proposals in the consultation on domestic burning would not prevent heritage railways purchasing the fuels they need, so there has been no need for the Secretary of State to discuss this with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 01/03/2019 15:11:15 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	1565 label Biography information for Sir Philip Davies

1078296

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	Food Supply
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 that a no-deal Brexit could have on the UK's food supplies.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL14068
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>As a responsible Government, we are preparing for all eventualities including that of leaving the EU without a deal. Extensive work to prepare for a no deal scenario has been under way for the last two years to ensure the country continues to operate as smoothly as possible from the day we leave.</p><p>The UK has a high degree of food security, built on access to a range of sources including strong domestic production and imports from other countries. This will continue to be the case whether we leave the EU with or without a deal.</p><p>The Government has well established ways of working with the food industry on food supply chain issues. This includes working with Defra’s long established Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group, which allows Government and industry to work together to plan for and respond to any food supply disruption.</p><p>This industry group’s membership is drawn from across the agri-food chain sector and includes other relevant Government departments, devolved administrations and agencies. Defra will continue to work closely with food industry stakeholders on the potential impacts of a no deal scenario on the food and drink industry, as well as the contingency planning measures being taken by industry.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 06/03/2019 13:13:53 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick