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1657632

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2023
	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	Ground Water
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of ground water levels to meet current needs in England; and whether such water levels have (1) decreased, or (2) increased, since 2000.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL9810
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2023 answer text <p>The Environment Agency monitors groundwater levels across the country at thousands of locations and uses groundwater models designed to manage water resources, balancing the needs of both abstractors and the environment. Groundwater models provide current and future trends of water availability and are used to inform Abstraction Licencing Strategies used for local water resource management. <br> <br> Over the past 20 years, groundwater levels in some areas have declined and in other areas increased. Over relatively short periods of time groundwater levels can vary significantly in response to environmental factors (particularly rainfall both in terms of overall quantity and timing) and due to changing abstraction pressures. It should be noted that groundwater levels in most locations were relatively high in the 2000s due to a period of high rainfall recharge which caused significant groundwater flooding in some areas and more recently have been relatively low due to prolonged dry weather. <br> <br> The Environment Agency’s assessment shows that since 2017 the number of groundwater bodies with sustainable abstraction has increased from 72% to 73%.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 15/09/2023 11:56:53 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1240248

	registered interest
	date	05/10/2020
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce legislation banning all harvesting of peat; and if not, why not.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8754
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>We have taken action to tackle domestic extraction of peat; the National Planning Policy Framework, first published in 2012, ends the granting of new licences for peat extraction. Peat extraction in England will therefore end when the remaining licenses expire.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to be committed to phasing out the use of peat in horticulture in England. The biggest user of peat is the amateur sector and this is an important part of our policy focus. We signalled to the industry that if we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives by 2020, then we would look at further measures that could be taken, and we are currently considering what these potential further measures could look like.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 19/10/2020 16:03:56 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1240246

	registered interest
	date	05/10/2020
	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	River Aller: Flood Control
	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 effectiveness of flood mitigation measures installed on the course of the river Aller and its headwaters in Somerset.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8753
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>The River Aller is a rapid response, rural catchment that has required a number of innovative flood mitigation measures to protect properties from rainfall running off the steep sided slopes of Exmoor.</p><p> </p><p>Approximately 70 properties are at risk of flooding in or near the villages of Allerford and Bossington. The most recent flooding in 2000 impacted properties and the A39 road. The measures set out below have been effective in reducing the impact of flooding in a number of ways and no significant flood events or property flooding has occurred since they have been in place.</p><p> </p><p>Natural flood management (NFM) storage bunds, woody debris dams and woodland planting has reduced the risk of high flows since it was completed in 2015.</p><p> </p><p>Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures such as removable boards in doorways and air brick covers have been installed in 38 properties at risk of flooding in Allerford and Bossington that provide an effective defence to flooding up to 600mm.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency’s Flood Warning Service provides targeted and timely alerts and warnings to people about the likelihood and severity of any potential flooding. This then allows people to activate flood plans and install their PFR measures. A siren is also sounded to provide immediate warning that life threatening flooding is imminent.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 19/10/2020 16:06:23 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

916595

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2018
	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	Trees: Diseases
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries in mainland Europe, if any, have tree diseases not present in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2018 answer text <p>While there is no comprehensive database which records all tree diseases within individual countries, the UK Plant Health Risk Register has 347 entries of pests and diseases which are present in Europe, but not in the UK, of which 126 are known to affect either coniferous or broadleaved trees or both.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 18/06/2018 12:14:31 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

916594

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2018
	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	Trees: Import Controls
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the controls on imports of trees to prevent the introduction of tree diseases; and when they last reviewed such controls.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8300
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2018 answer text <p>The UK has robust controls in place to protect against tree pest and disease threats. These include being the most prolific user of the EU Protected Zone system, comprehensive official inspections and surveillance, and a statutory notification scheme for certain tree species imported from the EU. Horizon scanning for new and emerging threats associated with tree imports is carried out continuously and the results are considered monthly by all UK Plant Health Authorities, facilitated by Defra’s Plant Health Risk Group. The UK Plant Health Risk Register is the principal screening tool used for this purpose and all outputs are published. The Register now has over 1000 entries, informing decision making and prioritisation in relation to tree health threats. We also contribute to a similar process at EU level and legislation is updated on a frequent basis, to protect against new and revised threats.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 18/06/2018 12:11:31 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1235847

	registered interest
	date	18/09/2020
	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	Flood Control: Somerset
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money they have allocated for flood defences and further related mitigation measures in the Somerset Levels in the current financial year; and what current schemes are underway to mitigate flooding in the area.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8291
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>This current financial year, £4.7 million of capital flood defence capital grant in aid (FDGiA) has been allocated for flood defences and further related mitigation measures on the Somerset Levels and Moors. This funding is being used to progress schemes such as the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier and Dunball sluice refurbishment, as well as works to flood defence reservoirs and pumping station improvements.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, a further £0.5 million of capital funding has been allocated for the recondition of existing flood defence assets.</p><p> </p><p>£3.5 million of revenue FDGiA has been allocated for maintenance and operation of flood defence assets. This is supplemented by £0.5 million of Internal Drainage Board precept.</p><p> </p><p>On behalf of the Somerset Rivers Authority, the Environment Agency and the Somerset Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards are also delivering £4 million of capital works to increase channel conveyance on the River Sowy and King Sedgemoor Drain, and to dredge a further section of the River Parrett.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 05/10/2020 11:13:18 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1235846

	registered interest
	date	18/09/2020
	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	Flood Control: Somerset
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of preparations to mitigate flooding of the Somerset Levels in the winter.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8290
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/10/2020 answer text <p>At this time of year, being incident ready and resilient for winter flooding is a top priority for the Environment Agency (EA). The EA are working to ensure that its incident response rosters are well-populated and that incident duty staff have had refresher training.</p><p> </p><p>This summer, across the Levels and Moors, EA field staff have been working to deliver a multimillion pound programme of maintenance works. This includes repairs and essential maintenance to pump stations, clearing main rivers to ensure maximum conveyance, localised repairs to damaged flood banks, and asset inspections to address any defects. Contingency plans have also been developed for strategically important assets with an ongoing programme of tests and exercises.</p><p> </p><p>In October, the EA has planned specialist training for its staff on deploying ultra-high volume pumps and temporary defences. Separate training sessions are also planned with supply chain partners so that they are well briefed if they are needed.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 02/10/2020 13:58:46 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

517613

	registered interest
	date	04/05/2016
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 25 April (HL7529), whether badger predation on hedgehogs is increasing or decreasing.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8206
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2016 answer text <p>There has been no assessment of whether badger predation on hedgehogs is increasing or decreasing. Badgers have, however, been identified as one of a range of factors that could potentially have an impact on hedgehog populations.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 12/05/2016 10:12:36 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

515948

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2016
	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	Badgers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 April (HL7528), whether damage caused to bulbs and plants in commercial horticultural establishments, in town and country alike, would be considered serious enough to warrant the issue of a licence.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL8005
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2016 answer text <p>As licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, whether or not a licence would be issued would depend on the specific circumstances under which an application is made.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 09/05/2016 15:28:29 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1330289

	registered interest
	date	07/06/2021
	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	Hedges and Ditches
	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 current rate of removal of hedgerows by (1) housebuilders, and (2) farmers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2021 answer text <p>The Government does not have an up to date assessment of hedgerow removal but is committed to protecting hedgerows, and other field boundaries, and the habitats they provide.</p><p> </p><p>Hedgelink, a partnership supported by environmental, farming and heritage organisations, has estimated that between 1984 and 1990 the length of hedgerows in Great Britain had declined by about 23%. The Countryside Survey 2000 indicated that by 1998 this decline in the length of hedgerows had been halted.</p><p> </p><p>Legal protection for hedgerows is provided by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 which prohibit the removal of countryside hedgerows without first seeking approval from the local planning authority. The authority is required to decide whether a hedgerow is “important” according to the criteria in the Regulations and should not be removed. Although there is local variation, research has indicated that, nationally, over 70% of hedgerows in England and Wales are 'important'. The Regulations therefore play a valuable role in providing statutory protection for a large proportion of hedgerows in the countryside.</p><p> </p><p>When granting planning permission, a local authority has the power to impose enforceable planning conditions on a developer in order to protect hedges or trees assessed as being worthy of retention, which might otherwise be harmed by construction or the new land-use.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 18/06/2021 13:21:52 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten