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1134439

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Hedgehogs: 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, what assessment there has been of the risk that A24 traps pose to hedgehog populations.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	269077
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The A24 trap is not approved for trapping hedgehogs. We are confident that hedgehogs can be effectively and safely excluded from the Goodnature A24 trap when it is set according to manufacturer’s instructions and, as is required by law, an excluder tunnel is used. We are also not aware of any evidence which suggests the A24 trap or the excluder tunnel has any impact on hedgehogs.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 03/07/2019 12:00:55 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1134458

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Tree Felling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the accuracy of the data in relation to tree (a) felling and (b) restocking and the associated granting of felling licences.
tabling member constituency	Bootle
tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
uin	269071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The Forestry Commission regulates felling of trees in England. Felling licences are a requirement for felling, unless an exemption applies.</p><p> </p><p>The Forestry Commission provides the best available information on the granting of felling licences, illegal felling, and publicly funded restocking. These Official Statistics are produced to meet the standards of the Code of Practice for Statistics. Last year, the Forestry Commission introduced a new felling licence online service, which will enable further improvements to the collection and reporting of data on licencing.</p><p> </p><p>There is no obligation for a landowner to fell their trees once a licence has been granted, which can be valid for up to 10 years, so data on actual felling is not recorded and there are no plans to do so. However, loss of woodland can be detected from the analysis of satellite earth observation data, and the Forestry Commission already provides statistics on the net loss of woodland area in England.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/forestry-commission-corporate-plan-performance-indicators-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/forestry-commission-corporate-plan-performance-indicators-2019</a></p><p>This takes account of the loss of woodland to open habitat creation and development. The Forestry Commission is also exploring the potential to further develop techniques to enhance the detection of tree felling and restocking.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/07/2019 11:54:18 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1134459

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Timber
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 increase (a) the transparency of the UK timber market and (b) the publication of data on timber production.
tabling member constituency	Bootle
tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
uin	269072
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The Forestry Commission, through its agency Forest Research, collects data and publishes statistics on UK timber markets. This work includes information provided by timber processors through surveys and members of the timber industry who participate in the Expert Group on Timber Statistics. Forest Research works to recognised standards, and Official Statistics are produced in compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/forestry-commission-corporate-plan-performance-indicators-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/forestry-commission-corporate-plan-performance-indicators-2019</a></p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/07/2019 11:57:28 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1134472

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to increase the maximum sentence available under the Animal welfare (Service Animals) Act 2006.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	268962
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>I am pleased to say that the legislation needed to implement the increase in the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences - the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill – had its First Reading in this House on 26 June. The Bill will increase the custodial penalty for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, as well as other animal cruelty offences, from 6 months’ imprisonment to 5 years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 03/07/2019 11:47:41 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

1134496

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Sharks: Imports
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 potential merits of banning shark fin imports.
tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
uin	269024
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation. We successfully led the charge to ban shark finning across the EU, and we continue to press for stronger international controls. When sharks are caught we support the EU position of landing the full body.</p><p> </p><p>While we are a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on the import of shark fins. When we leave the EU there will be an opportunity to consider the case for going further than current arrangements, consistent with our World Trade Organisation obligations.</p> answering member constituency Scarborough and Whitby answering member printed Mr Robert Goodwill question first answered 03/07/2019 15:32:22 answering member 1562 label Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill
tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

1134530

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Peat
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 potential merits of the protection and restoration of peat moss in achieving net carbon neutrality for the UK.
tabling member constituency	Altrincham and Sale West
tabling member printed	Sir Graham Brady
uin	268974
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Recently published Government research identified that the emissions from UK peatlands range from 18.5 to 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. Peatland restoration is therefore a key way to mitigate emissions and will play an important role in achieving net carbon neutrality in the UK. We will publish an England Peat Strategy later this year which will set out our approach to protecting and restoring peat.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 01/07/2019 09:41:37 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	435 label Biography information for Sir Graham Brady

1134531

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Peat
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his Department's policy to protect remaining areas of peat moss in the UK from development.
tabling member constituency	Altrincham and Sale West
tabling member printed	Sir Graham Brady
uin	268975
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>Around 75% of the area which still supports blanket bog vegetation is already protected from development via a range of statutory conservation designations. Of the remaining area of lowland raised bog which still supports semi-natural vegetation, around 85% is protected.</p><p> </p><p>The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) protects irreplaceable habitat from development within its remit, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons to allow it. Whether individual peat moss sites are irreplaceable is a matter of judgement for local authorities to determine when considering applications. Sites are irreplaceable when it is technically very difficult (or would take a very significant time) to restore, recreate or replace once destroyed, taking into account the age, uniqueness, species diversity or rarity.</p><p> </p><p>The NPPF also protected peatlands from development for minerals extraction by ending the granting of new licences for peat extraction.</p><p> </p><p>The government is preparing a peatland strategy which will outline our approach.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 03/07/2019 12:52:27 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	435 label Biography information for Sir Graham Brady

1134581

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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 Housing: Licensing
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 local authority checks have been undertaken on non multi-boarding dog boarding hosts since the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 were published.
tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
uin	268976
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The 2018 Regulations updated the regulatory regimes for a number of licensed animal related activities, including different styles of dog boarding, by introducing strict statutory minimum welfare standards. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the 2018 Regulations and have powers to issue or revoke licences, and powers of entry and inspection. Each local authority would hold the information requested and the Government does not require it to be submitted centrally.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 268977 question first answered 03/07/2019 16:21:01 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans

1134584

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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 Housing: Licensing
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 average cost is of a premise check for a non multi-boarding dog boarding host since the implementation of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
uin	268977
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The 2018 Regulations updated the regulatory regimes for a number of licensed animal related activities, including different styles of dog boarding, by introducing strict statutory minimum welfare standards. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the 2018 Regulations and have powers to issue or revoke licences, and powers of entry and inspection. Each local authority would hold the information requested and the Government does not require it to be submitted centrally.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 268976 question first answered 03/07/2019 16:21:01 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans

1134629

registered interest
date	25/06/2019
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	Rural Areas: Loneliness
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 Government Loneliness Strategy, what progress his department has made on convening a rural stakeholder group to (a) advise and support the work of Government Departments and (b) help support the communication of initiatives and good practice at a local level.
tabling member constituency	Newton Abbot
tabling member printed	Anne Marie Morris
uin	269062
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Government has engaged closely with the Loneliness Action Group in the development of, and now implementation of, its loneliness strategy. Defra officials have engaged with the quarterly Loneliness Action Group meetings, to share updates and hear the group's views. The Minister for Sport and Civil Society, who leads Government's work on loneliness, spoke at the Loneliness Action Group conference in May 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to tackling loneliness in rural areas. Last year the Minister for Rural Affairs co-hosted a roundtable on rural loneliness with the Minister for Loneliness.</p><p> </p><p>We share learning and ensure effective implementation via stakeholder engagement. A rural stakeholder forum, a commitment in the Government’s loneliness strategy, was held earlier this year, co-hosted by Defra and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). This was an opportunity for Government to listen to the challenges faced by rural communities trying to tackle loneliness and for attendees to share good practice. A further forum will be held in the autumn. The Minister for Rural Affairs held a smaller, more focused forum earlier this month. These events are part of ongoing conversations between Government and stakeholders on this important issue.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 269063 question first answered 01/07/2019 10:21:54 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4249 label Biography information for Anne Marie Morris