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1644102

registered interest
date	13/06/2023
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	Horticulture: 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, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2023 to Question 188243 on Horticulture: Peat, whether her Department plans to publish guidance to assist organisations in determining whether they qualify as professional growers.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	189200
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2023 answer text <p>Yes, as our legislative proposals are developed suitable guidance will be published in the normal way.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 19/06/2023 09:44:25 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1642689

registered interest
date	07/06/2023
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	Horticulture: 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, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April to Question 174455 on Horticulture: Peat, what guidance her Department issues on whether constituted allotment associations are professional growers with respect to the ban on peat based products and the delayed timeline for removal of peat from professional growing operations.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	188243
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government proposes to restrict and ultimately ban the sale of peat and peat-containing products used in horticulture in England by 2030 with restrictions on professional use after 2026. The purpose of the proposed technical exemptions will be to allow time for professional growers, operating on a commercial basis, to overcome technical barriers to adopting peat-free growing media. Whether an organisation is operating on a professional, and therefore commercial, basis will be a matter for individual organisations to assess.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 12/06/2023 14:40:15 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1623980

registered interest
date	26/04/2023
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	Bread: Prices
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 assessment she has made of (a) the reasons for which bread prices have risen in the UK and (b) the implications for the (i) security and (ii) sustainability of supply chains of those rises in bread prices.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	182832
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2023 answer text <p>Food price inflation is being driven by a combination of factors including increased global commodity prices and farm input costs. For food manufacturers production costs have also increased reflecting a tight labour market, increasing wages, energy price increases, fuel and packaging materials costs. Regarding bread prices, the largest upward effect in the annual CPIH rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages in the year to March 2023 (19.2%) came from the bread and cereals class increasing by 19.4% in a year, although the more recent drivers have been from increases in the price of biscuits and cakes within that class.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure a consistent supply of food, the UK relies both on its own production and on imports. Sourcing food and its ingredients from domestic and global markets contributes to food resilience. Diverse supply chains and global trade in agri-food commodities increases availability and consumer choice.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 02/05/2023 10:27:22 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1623981

registered interest
date	26/04/2023
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	Bakery Products: Supply Chains
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 her Department is taking steps to review the supply chain of the (a) bread and (b) other baked products sector.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	182833
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2023 answer text <p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to the food supply chain including with bread and baked products.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption.</p><p> </p><p>Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes.</p><p> </p><p>Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report was published in December 2021.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 02/05/2023 10:22:41 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1623982

registered interest
date	26/04/2023
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	Bread: Prices
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 she has had recent discussions with trade unions on (a) the reasons for which bread prices have risen in the UK and (b) the security of supply chains in that sector.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	182834
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2023 answer text <p>Food price inflation is being driven by a combination of factors including increased global commodity prices and farm input costs. For food manufacturers production costs have also increased reflecting a tight labour market, increasing wages, energy price increases, fuel and packaging materials costs.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding bread prices, the largest upward effect in the annual CPIH rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages in the year to March 2023 (19.2%) came from the bread and cereals class increasing by 19.4% in a year, although the more recent drivers have been from increases in the price of biscuits and cakes within that class.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure a consistent supply of food, the UK relies both on its own production and on imports. Sourcing food and its ingredients from domestic and global markets contributes to food resilience. Diverse supply chains and global trade in agri-food commodities increases availability and consumer choice</p><p> </p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 02/05/2023 10:06:32 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1623983

registered interest
date	26/04/2023
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has held recent discussions with trade union representatives on food security.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	182835
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2023 answer text <p>We have recently not held discussions with trade union representatives on food security but do engage regularly with trade bodies such as the National Farmers Union and Food and Drink Federation on food security and other issues.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work closely with external partners across the food supply industry to understand, assess and monitor the food and drink supply. Defra works closely with the major food retailers to understand consumer behaviour and if/how this is impacted by pressures on the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. Defra has a collaborative relationship with industry which allows us to effectively respond to disruption, should it occur.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 02/05/2023 16:15:55 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1604078

registered interest
date	14/03/2023
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	Pets: Travel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2023 to Question 108424 on Pets: Travel, what progress she has made in negotiations with the European Commission on awarding Great Britain Part 1 listed status to enable pet owners to travel outside the UK with fewer restrictions.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	165313
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2023 answer text <p>We are continuing to engage with the European Commission on awarding Great Britain 'Part 1' listed status and recognition of the UK's tapeworm-free status.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 17/03/2023 13:39:04 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1356188

registered interest
date	16/09/2021
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	Deposit Return Schemes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons his Department has delayed the introduction of a deposit return scheme for plastic and glass bottles to 2024; and if his Department will bring forward that introduction date in response to the climate emergency and the impact of plastics on wildlife and marine life.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	50657
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The Government is committed to introducing a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. We recently undertook a second consultation on introducing the DRS, in which we set out timelines for the scheme to go live.</p><p>We want an ambitious but realistic timetable to ensure we implement a DRS that will be as effective as possible. We reviewed the timelines required to implement a DRS and anticipate the scheme will be launched in 2024, subject to the outcome of the second consultation and parliamentary passage of the Environment Bill.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 21/09/2021 16:42:47 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1287276

registered interest
date	19/02/2021
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: 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, whether his Department has plans to bring forward legislative proposals on preventing dogs from being released from a leash or leader in public spaces and neighbourhoods, beyond the powers already in place for decisions to be made at local authority level.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	154983
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2021 answer text <p>Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 it is an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. For the purposes of the 1991 Act, this includes any occasion on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that a dog will injure someone, whether or not it actually does so.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs asks owners to ensure that they prevent their dogs from chasing or attacking any other animals, including livestock and horses; for example, through use of a lead or avoidance of such situations.</p><p> </p><p>The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications. We are currently engaging closely with key stakeholders to improve our understanding of the scale of the issue and the views of both livestock keepers and dog owners.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 01/03/2021 15:56:16 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1287381

registered interest
date	19/02/2021
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: Air 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, whether his Department plans to (a) increase (a) regulation and (b) powers of enforcement to restrict and reduce the use of wood burning stoves in private properties where the emissions are shown to contribute to poor air quality.
tabling member constituency	Gateshead
tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
uin	154986
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2021 answer text <p>Domestic solid fuel burning is a major contributor to fine particulate matter emissions and, in line with our Clean Air Strategy, we recently introduced new legislation to restrict the sale of the most polluting solid fuels used in domestic burning. The aim of this legislation is to drive a transition to cleaner fuels: from wet wood to dry wood (which can reduce emissions by 50%), and from traditional house coal to smokeless coal and low sulphur manufactured solid fuels. We will also be ensuring that only the cleanest stoves are available for sale by 2022.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Environment Bill contains measures to help further reduce emissions from domestic burning by creating a simpler mechanism for local authorities seeking to reduce smoke emissions within their areas.</p><p> </p><p>My department will continue to review emissions from these sources and will monitor the impact of the new legislation, considering in due course any additional legislative measures that may be needed to reduce emission levels further.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 01/03/2021 16:55:06 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns