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1645060
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Livestock: Disease Control more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken planning exercises in the last 10 years to test the UK's preparedness for managing a farm animal disease outbreak. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189874 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>There have been four UK-wide exercises involving Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency including their operational partners and stakeholder organisations:</p><ul><li>Exercise Holly (July 2021) tested government’s response to an outbreak of African swine fever.</li><li>Exercise Blackthorn (November 2017 to July 2018) tested the response to a major outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD).</li><li>Exercise Willow (2016) examined the UK’s capacity to respond to a large cross-border outbreak of FMD.</li><li>Exercise Walnut (2013) tested the response to an outbreak of classical swine fever.</li></ul><p>We have also completed numerous operational, field and laboratory-based exercises to test and refine contingency plans on a yearly cycle, and our response capability has been tested by real-world outbreaks such as the ongoing outbreak of avian influenza.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Sherwood more like this
answering member printed Mark Spencer more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T15:47:25.943Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T15:47:25.943Z
answering member
4055
label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1645061
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Animal and Plant Health Agency more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she made of the adequacy of Animal Plant and Health Agency veterinary resources; and if she will make a statement. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189875 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>APHA has approximately 430 veterinary posts and at the end of May 2023, 60 of these were vacant. Recruitment is underway and locum vets are being used while vacancies are being filled. Because of the nature of APHA work, veterinary resource needs can change rapidly. This was seen during last winter and the large avian influenza outbreak that required a prioritising resource allocation and the temporary expansion of the Agency’s workforce.</p><p> </p><p>APHA has contracts in place to enable it to bring in more veterinary resource from private veterinary practices at times of peak demand and this was heavily used during the outbreak.</p><p> </p><p>APHA also was also able to draw on veterinary resource from core Defra. There are other potential changes to APHA’s responsibilities which will require more veterinary resource. These changes are individually impact assessed to identify resource requirements. One such example is the new Border Operating Model where APHA is likely to need significant extra veterinary resource to check imported live animals. Defra provides APHA with additional funding to expand veterinary resource where needed.</p>
answering member constituency Sherwood more like this
answering member printed Mark Spencer more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T10:12:58.36Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T10:12:58.36Z
answering member
4055
label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1645062
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Avian Influenza: Vaccination more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on developing an avian influenza vaccination trade strategy. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189876 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Sherwood more like this
answering member printed Mark Spencer more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T15:43:23.227Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T15:43:23.227Z
answering member
4055
label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1645064
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Business and Trade more like this
answering dept id 214 more like this
answering dept short name Business and Trade more like this
answering dept sort name Business and Trade more like this
hansard heading Exports: Notifiable Diseases more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of notifiable disease outbreaks on exports. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189877 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Business and Trade maintains regular dialogue with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a wide range of issues relating to agriculture and trade. The government will continue to prioritise trade facilitation in our FTAs to benefit UK exports.</p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire more like this
answering member printed Nigel Huddleston more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T13:15:55.003Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T13:15:55.003Z
answering member
4407
label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1645071
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Animal and Plant Health Agency: Finance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding she plans to allocate to the Animal and Plant Health Agency in each of the next five financial years. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189884 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) Defra funding for financial year 2023-24 is £185.2 million RDEL (Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit) and £15.7 million CDEL (Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit). Indicative funding for 2024-25 has been set but is not yet confirmed and is expected to be agreed by January 2024. Future year funding beyond this is subject to the Government-wide spending review process which will determine the overall funding for Defra and APHA.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Sherwood more like this
answering member printed Mark Spencer more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T10:05:22.057Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T10:05:22.057Z
answering member
4055
label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1645072
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Birds: Disease Control more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to take steps to (a) review and (b) update the notifiable avian disease control strategy, published on 30 August 2018. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189885 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>Current avian influenza disease control policy considers the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice, reflects our experience of responding to past outbreaks of exotic animal disease and is in line with international standards of best practice for disease control. Defra’s approach to avian influenza is set out in the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fnotifiable-avian-disease-control-strategy-2015&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEDC.outbreak.comms%40defra.gov.uk%7C66d08106fb534d86977008db6e56be2c%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638225091055673566%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=B8v8nGXcZRImr36W5Oecl5q5UFJjuSzn38Gdmm5oTbE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain</a>, published in September 2019. This document is currently under review and is being updated to reflect the recent legislative and policy changes that have already been implemented and an updated version will be published on gov.uk prior to the 2023/2024 high risk season. The Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain is supported by the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fmitigation-strategy-for-avian-influenza-in-wild-birds-in-england-and-wales&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEDC.outbreak.comms%40defra.gov.uk%7C66d08106fb534d86977008db6e56be2c%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638225091055673566%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=XeGc%2BnAP%2FT24UkTVHYQcz6SQGIA7qwBD2RlRBdjlLno%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales</a>, an updated version of which was published in March 2023.</p>
answering member constituency Sherwood more like this
answering member printed Mark Spencer more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T15:36:07.173Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T15:36:07.173Z
answering member
4055
label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1645073
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-06-15more like thismore than 2023-06-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Animals and Animal Products: France more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to suspend the import of (a) animals and (b) animal products from France after the commencement of its avian flu vaccination programme in autumn 2023. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 189886 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-06-23more like thismore than 2023-06-23
answer text <p>It is important to note that, according to Great Britain's Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy, avian flu vaccination, barring those in licensed English zoos, is currently not permitted for poultry and captive birds. These steps represent our commitment to maintaining animal and public health.</p><p>In response to France's commitments on its autumn 2023 avian flu vaccination programme, my department has formed a task force to explore broader vaccination use as a preventive measure against avian influenza.</p><p>This group, consisting of Government and industry experts, will formulate potential domestic strategies, with considerations for trade impact and necessary mitigations to prevent trade barriers, potentially including suspension of import of animals and animal products from France. All proposed changes will be backed by robust risk assessments.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Sherwood more like this
answering member printed Mark Spencer more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-06-23T15:32:19.637Zmore like thismore than 2023-06-23T15:32:19.637Z
answering member
4055
label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1628065
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-05-16more like thismore than 2023-05-16
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Ukraine: Military Aid more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of providing basic training for Ukrainian pilots on the RAF pilot training programme. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 185336 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-05-24more like thismore than 2023-05-24
answer text <p>Elementary flying training for Ukrainian pilots is being planned in a manner which will not impact core Sovereign UK pilot training.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Wells more like this
answering member printed James Heappey more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-05-24T13:18:31.36Zmore like thismore than 2023-05-24T13:18:31.36Z
answering member
4528
label Biography information for James Heappey more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1626987
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-05-11more like thismore than 2023-05-11
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading A400M Aircraft: Procurement more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) task lines the A400M fleet has been able to offer and (b) planned task line availability for each of the last 12 months. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 184703 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-05-16more like thismore than 2023-05-16
answer text <p>Whilst the Hercules C-130J fleet will continue to drawdown, a number of the aircraft have sufficient remaining flying hours to enable an extended drawdown to 30 June 2023, maximising use of the fleet.</p><p> </p><p>Atlas availability is being actively managed. There has been a steady improvement in aircraft availability and fleet resilience. Following direct intervention and a determined improvement campaign, the daily aircraft availability is approximately 25% greater compared to 18-months ago. A number of Atlas airframes will complete upgrade before the summer, adding to the available fleet.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South Suffolk more like this
answering member printed James Cartlidge more like this
grouped question UIN
184704 more like this
184706 more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-05-16T12:55:02.823Zmore like thismore than 2023-05-16T12:55:02.823Z
answering member
4519
label Biography information for James Cartlidge more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter
1626988
registered interest false remove filter
date less than 2023-05-11more like thismore than 2023-05-11
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Hercules Aircraft more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) task lines the C130J fleet has been able to offer and (b) planned task line availability for each of the last 12 months. more like this
tabling member constituency Witney more like this
tabling member printed
Robert Courts more like this
uin 184704 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-05-16more like thismore than 2023-05-16
answer text <p>Whilst the Hercules C-130J fleet will continue to drawdown, a number of the aircraft have sufficient remaining flying hours to enable an extended drawdown to 30 June 2023, maximising use of the fleet.</p><p> </p><p>Atlas availability is being actively managed. There has been a steady improvement in aircraft availability and fleet resilience. Following direct intervention and a determined improvement campaign, the daily aircraft availability is approximately 25% greater compared to 18-months ago. A number of Atlas airframes will complete upgrade before the summer, adding to the available fleet.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South Suffolk more like this
answering member printed James Cartlidge more like this
grouped question UIN
184703 more like this
184706 more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-05-16T12:55:02.873Zmore like thismore than 2023-05-16T12:55:02.873Z
answering member
4519
label Biography information for James Cartlidge more like this
tabling member
4589
label Biography information for Robert Courts remove filter