0 1 50 13 2024-03-21 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ellie Reeves 2024-03-26T14:05:13.87Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-26 Biography information for Robbie Moore <p>The vast majority of landfill sites do not cause problems and the regulatory framework serves them and their local communities well. Where poor performance does occur the Environment Agency has a range of powers to bring sites back into compliance and, where necessary, to take enforcement action against operators.</p> House of Commons Biography information for Ellie Reeves 19923 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the regulation of landfill sites. Landfill: Regulation 1 Lewisham West and Penge false 13 false Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi 19937 Dogs: Imports 2024-03-26T16:25:58.727Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-26 Biography information for Mark Spencer <p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of heavily pregnant dogs over 42 days gestation.</p> Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the commercial movement of pregnant dogs into Great Britain; and whether he plans to take legislative steps to curb this practice. 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Slough 2024-03-21 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi 19939 2024-03-26T16:22:28.723Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-26 <p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of puppies under six months old.</p><p> </p><p>There are already strict legal controls on the entry of animals into Great Britain aimed at preventing the introduction of rabies. All dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain must be vaccinated against rabies. We are not currently proposing any changes to the animal health requirements for dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain. The Government monitors disease risk carefully. If the disease risk changes, or an immediate public health risk is identified, appropriate action will be taken.</p> Slough 2024-03-21 Dogs: Imports 1 false Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) increasing the age at which puppies can be imported to six months and (b) reintroducing rabies blood tests for imported puppies. false To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of importing pregnant dogs on the welfare of those dogs; and whether he has received representations from animal welfare organisations on this matter. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-21 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19940 Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi 2024-03-26T13:36:17.197Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-26 <p>In August 2021, the Government launched a consultation on proposed restrictions to the commercial import and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain including restricting the import of heavily pregnant dogs. It was a wide-ranging consultation with excellent engagement with key stakeholders including animal welfare organisations. We are carefully reviewing the feedback gathered from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders, and a summary will be published soon. We continue to engage with stakeholders on this issue.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of heavily pregnant dogs over 42 days gestation.</p> Slough Dogs: Imports 1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dogs: Imports and Sales Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi 2024-03-21 Slough false 2024-03-26T13:34:27.68Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-26 <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation, including the cropping of a dog’s ears or the docking of their tails. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 creates tougher penalties for anyone convicted of such an offence face, either being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>In August 2021, the Government launched a consultation on proposed restrictions to the commercial import and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain including restricting the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails. We are carefully reviewing the feedback gathered from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders, and a summary will be published soon.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails.</p><p> </p> 13 19941 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of prohibiting the (a) importation and (b) sale of dogs with (i) cropped ears and (ii) docked tails. false Penrith and The Border To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the police and (b) animal welfare stakeholders on the actions of people involved in catapult groups on social media. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Wildlife: Crime Dr Neil Hudson 1 2024-03-28T13:12:11.9Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-28 Biography information for Rebecca Pow <p>The use of catapults against animals, and the sharing of disturbing imagery associated with such use on social media, is an issue that has been relayed to my officials by certain local police forces and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. I am informed a new national group has recently been created to address the catapulting of wildlife, focusing on education, prevention, detection and justice. Officers from Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police are leading the group, named Operation Lakeshot, and they are working in partnership with the RSPCA and Nature Watch.</p><p> </p><p>The government takes wildlife crime seriously and it is a matter of concern. Under provisions in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006, there are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure, or inflict harm on wildlife. Furthermore, the Online Safety Act 2023 will also require social media firms to take action to tackle content that results in the unnecessary suffering of animals, or that encourages activity that causes the unnecessary suffering of an animal. This includes removing such content.</p> 19982 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-21 13 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of the impact of the (a) design and (b) manufacture of textiles on microplastic pollution. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-25T15:47:55.903Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>The Department has not made (actual) assessments of the impact of the design and manufacture of textiles on environmental microplastic pollution. Defra recently funded a project to develop and validate methods to detect, quantify and characterise microplastics and microplastic fibres from textiles used in clothing in rivers and their sediments. The techniques were tested on urban and rural rivers, and it was found higher levels of microplastics were present in the urban river.</p><p> </p><p>Defra provided grant funding of £860000 to WRAP's Textiles 2030, which began in 2021. The programme brings together brands &amp; retailers representing more than 62% of all clothing placed on the UK market to drive industry collaboration on circular design, circular business models, (resale, rental, subscription, repair, recycling) and closing the loop on materials (recycling).</p> Kerry McCarthy 2024-03-20 13 Microplastics: Pollution 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Bristol East Biography information for Kerry McCarthy 19564 false Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ellie Reeves Lewisham West and Penge 2024-03-25T16:25:23.757Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>The Surrey Senior Coroner has already carried out a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Zane Gbangbola’s death, taking into account a considerable amount of evidence.  The Coroner, as an independent judicial office holder, drew his own conclusions based on this evidence.</p><p> </p><p>If there is a belief that the evidence was not considered properly during the original inquest, or that there is new evidence available, the correct process is for an application to be made to the Attorney General asking her to apply to the High Court to quash the inquest and order a fresh investigation. The High Court would take this course of action if it believed that it would be in the interests of justice.</p><p> </p><p>I believe that this remains the proper process to follow. An assessment of the merits of an inquiry should be made at the appropriate time if, and when, the legal processes have been exhausted.</p> 19662 Zane Gbangbola 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of opening an independent public inquiry into the death of Zane Gbangbola during flooding in 2014. 13 2024-03-20 false Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ellie Reeves 2024-03-26T14:52:37.133Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-26 <p>Local Authorities have the statutory duty to inspect their Areas to identify contaminated land (including historic landfills and non-permitted sites) in accordance with a written inspection strategy which they must publish and maintain.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency has responsibility to require those responsible to remediate historic landfills and non-permitted sites if they have been determined as contaminated land and designated as a ‘special site’ by the local authority under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2000, 54 sites have been designated as special sites including 13 historic landfills <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.data.gov.uk%2Fdataset%2Fe3770885-fc05-4813-9e60-42b03ec411cf%2Fcontaminated-land-special-sites&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C54992b60b7134e38dfb508dc4a809abc%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638467163410647727%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Qslv7CQHLKI6p0%2BvvXg4Xg%2FzpwVaPz71zRcu3stJrgk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Contaminated Land Special Sites - data.gov.uk</a></p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 19663 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency has made a recent assessment of the safety of historic landfill sites that are in close proximity to urban areas. Landfill: Safety false 13 Lewisham West and Penge 2024-03-20 Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of bottom trawling on Marine Protected Areas. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Marine Protected Areas: Fishing Vessels Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 1 Ealing, Southall 2024-03-20 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19585 2024-03-26T13:17:54.967Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-26 <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Slough, on 6 July 2023, PQ UIN <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2023-07-03%2F192154&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cdac54863fba24d48038208dc4a6be6c4%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638467074492201131%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=nbEwrdsKwNLFSHEQ4zuns6s8ls%2FfZj7qZFrJ%2BMKF46k%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">192154</a>.</p><p> </p><p>A byelaw restricting the use of bottom trawling in 13 Marine Protected Areas mentioned in that answer came into force on 22 March 2024.</p> Mr Virendra Sharma 13 2024-03-26T13:29:08.55Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-26 <p>Bottom trawls are used by all parts of the fishing fleet, from small day boats to large offshore vessels. In 2021, fishing with bottom towed gears in the UK Exclusive Economic Zone by the UK fleet represented approximately 30% of the total tonnage, by value this was 45%. The economic importance to coastal communities varies, but there are significant trawler fleets in the South West of England. There is currently no commercially viable replacement for bottom trawling to catch the high-value species targeted (e.g. cod, haddock, scallops). There is work underway to progressively address the environmental effects of bottom trawling, working alongside the fishing industry, academia, and other stakeholders including through Fisheries Management Plans, the first of which were published in December 2024. The issue needs to be approached carefully to ensure the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability are balanced.</p> 19586 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Fishing Vessels: Regulation Mr Virendra Sharma 1 Ealing, Southall 13 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to prohibit bottom trawling. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-20 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mr Virendra Sharma Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of classifying all territorial waters as Marine Protected Areas. Marine Protected Areas: Territorial Waters 2024-03-20 Ealing, Southall 1 13 2024-03-28T12:58:39.123Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-28 <p>The UK has signed up to the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 (30by30 target). Domestically, we have designated a comprehensive network of MPAs covering 40% of English waters, based on recommendations from our scientific advisors (Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee). Our priority is to ensure all sites are managed appropriately to meet our statutory MPA target.</p> 19587 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the cumulative days of fishing by vessels carrying (a) bottom trawls, (b) dredges and (c) other bottom-towed gear in the UK’s 63 offshore benthic MPAs in 2023. false 19597 Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord 13 Hendon Marine Protected Areas: Fishing Vessels Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-28T13:54:17.85Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-28 <p>The designation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is a devolved competency and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>Estimates of fishing effort in offshore MPAs are made as part of the Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) work to assess and manage the impacts of fishing in all English offshore MPAs. These estimates have been published in economic and fisheries assessments on GOV.UK alongside byelaws for the first two stages of the MMO’s four stage programme to manage fishing activity in all English offshore MPAs. MMO is currently undertaking further analysis covering 43 offshore MPAs which will be published in due course, alongside consultations on any proposed byelaws.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Dr Matthew Offord Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-20 13 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to ban fishing using bottom trawling apparatus in marine protected areas. 2024-03-20 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Marine Protected Areas: Fishing Vessels Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19598 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Hendon false 1 2024-03-27T14:27:16.213Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-27 <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Devon, on 22 January 2024, PQ UIN <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2024-01-15%2F9706&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cdac54863fba24d48038208dc4a6be6c4%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638467074492213138%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ISD4h6iMO25HStI%2BBZKhytqKE2vysfGLeaJJBfLQNsI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">9706</a>.</p><p> </p><p>A byelaw restricting the use of bottom-towed fishing gear in 13 Marine Protected Areas mentioned in that answer came into force on 22 March 2024.</p> 19593 Dr Matthew Offord Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-27T14:27:16.167Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-27 <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Devon, on 22 January 2024, PQ UIN <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fquestions-statements.parliament.uk%2Fwritten-questions%2Fdetail%2F2024-01-15%2F9706&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cdac54863fba24d48038208dc4a6be6c4%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638467074492213138%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ISD4h6iMO25HStI%2BBZKhytqKE2vysfGLeaJJBfLQNsI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">9706</a>.</p><p> </p><p>A byelaw restricting the use of bottom-towed fishing gear in 13 Marine Protected Areas mentioned in that answer came into force on 22 March 2024.</p> 19598 2024-03-20 false To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to prohibit the use of bottom-towed fishing gear in Marine Protected Areas. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Biography information for Henry Smith Henry Smith Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Crawley Marine Protected Areas: Fishing Vessels 19593 13 Biography information for Stella Creasy Walthamstow Stella Creasy Import Controls 2024-03-28T14:35:41.983Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-28 <p>Specific requirements will vary by commodity, with details available on the Gov.uk pages for certification <a href="https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk" target="_blank">Import goods into the UK: step by step - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p>The BTOM will operate a sophisticated approach to risk categorisation, with the intensity of controls calibrated to the level of risk presented by each commodity.</p><p> </p><p>For high-risk and medium-risk goods, we will retain health certification and BCP inspection, albeit with frequently lower inspection rates than under the EU model. Documentary-only checks will be performed remotely instead of all regulated goods having to present documents at a BCP.</p><p> </p><p>For low-risk animal products as a matter of routine we will only require electronic pre-notification, which is already in place. Low-risk plant produce (fruit and vegetables with no known specific disease or pest risk associated) will be removed from import health control requirements altogether. There will no longer be any requirements for pre-notification, with enhanced inland monitoring and surveillance in place to ensure it is compliant with the UK's high food safety and standards and to keep track of any issues. We will simplify Export Health Certificates and make health certificates digital wherever possible.</p><p> </p><p>For medium-risk goods, we will extend the well-established concept of trusted trader into the SPS sphere, by working with industry to pilot new trusted trader authorisations for SPS goods.</p> 1 false To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2024 to Question 18133 on Import Controls, what standards goods will be required to demonstrate they meet via an export health certificate in order to be eligible for import into the UK. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19616 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-20 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 2024-03-28T14:28:25.243Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-28 <p>Defra has consulted on its proposed methodology and rates to inform charging levels and will publish an update on the Common User Charge shortly. This will include the Government response to the Common User Charge consultation. Further information on the policy and rates will be included in the upcoming publication.</p> Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Stella Creasy To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2024 to Question 11320 on Import Controls: Disease Control, which categories of consignment will be required to pay the Common User Charge, by risk level. 2024-03-20 Import Controls: Disease Control 19617 false Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Walthamstow false 13 1 Sir Greg Knight Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-28T12:53:29.933Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-28 <p>The Government takes crimes against wildlife and against pets seriously, including those involving the use of catapults. Under provisions in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and Animal Welfare Act 2006, there are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wildlife and in the event that a member of the public believes such an offence has taken place, they are encouraged to report the matter to the police so they can investigate. In particular where pets are concerned, it is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause an animal any unnecessary suffering. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 realises the Government’s manifesto commitment to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty by increasing the maximum penalty for this offence to 5 years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the use of catapults to (a) kill and (b) maim (i) wildlife and (ii) pets. Pets and Wildlife: Crime 19561 Biography information for Sir Greg Knight Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-20 East Yorkshire Biography information for Steve Reed Steve Reed 19374 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of trees that have died in each year since 2010. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Croydon North Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-22T13:38:45.827Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-22 <p>We do not hold data on the number of trees which have died each year since 2010. We recognise trees can only help mitigate the impact of a changing climate if they are resilient to those challenges themselves, and to pests and diseases. Landowners and woodland managers should actively manage, increase diversity and maintain tree health so they are fit for the future, including new trees planted under our grant schemes. Our main grant schemes provide 15 years maintenance payments to give these trees the best chance to thrive.</p><p> </p><p>Individual landowners are legally responsible for the care and management of trees on their land. Defra and the Forestry Commission provide guidance and grants, to help landowners manage the impacts of priority tree pests and pathogens such as ash dieback and oak processionary moth. Last year we published a new Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain (2023 to 2028) which sets out an ambitious plan of action for continuing to drive up biosecurity standards and increase the protection for our trees.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Trees: Diseases 13 false 2024-03-19 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-28T14:15:06.98Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-28 <p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill completed second reading in the House of Commons on 15 March 2024.</p><p> </p><p>In August 2021 we launched a consultation on the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain. It was a wide-ranging consultation with excellent engagement with key stakeholders including animal rescue charities. We are carefully reviewing the feedback from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders, and the consultation response will be published soon.</p> false Animal Welfare: Charities To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of provisions in the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill on the work of animal rescue charities. Derek Thomas 1 St Ives Biography information for Derek Thomas Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19420 13 2024-03-19 2024-03-22T13:36:37.173Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-22 <p>We do not collect data on tree planting by constituency. Our England Trees Action Plan has kickstarted tree planting across England with over<strong> </strong>4 million trees planted in 2023 and 15 million trees planted since 2020<strong>.</strong></p> Biography information for Sir John Hayes 1 Sir John Hayes 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs South Holland and The Deepings Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Tree Planting: Lincolnshire Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-19 19254 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many trees have been planted on behalf of his Department in (a) South Holland District, (b) South Kesteven District and (c) Lincolnshire since 2020. false To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many XL Bully dogs have been seized by the police since 1 January 2024; and how many and what proportion of those seized have been euthanised. 19238 13 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 false Christchurch 2024-03-19 Sir Christopher Chope Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dangerous Dogs: Euthanasia Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope 2024-03-28T14:12:29.707Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-28 <p>Defra does not hold data on XL Bully dogs which have been seized by the police. This information would be held by individual police forces.</p> false Mr Virendra Sharma Ealing, Southall Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on producing a draft list of proscribed activities for application under the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023. 2024-03-19 1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19304 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-22T12:48:45.637Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-22 <p>The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad.</p><p> </p><p>Future decisions on which specific animal activities will fall in scope of the advertising ban will be evidence-based and subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. Sufficient, compelling evidence will be required to demonstrate why any specific advertising ban is needed.</p><p> </p><p>This Government continues to make animal welfare a priority and we are currently exploring a number of options to ensure progress as soon as is practicable<em>.</em></p> 19305 13 Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 false 19305 2024-03-19 13 Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 Mr Virendra Sharma 1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-22T12:48:45.687Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-22 <p>The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad.</p><p> </p><p>Future decisions on which specific animal activities will fall in scope of the advertising ban will be evidence-based and subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. Sufficient, compelling evidence will be required to demonstrate why any specific advertising ban is needed.</p><p> </p><p>This Government continues to make animal welfare a priority and we are currently exploring a number of options to ensure progress as soon as is practicable<em>.</em></p> 19304 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's timescale is for publishing a public consultation on potential proscribed activities in relation to the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ealing, Southall 19338 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs West Suffolk Matt Hancock Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 1 13 2024-03-19 2024-03-28T13:36:52.087Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-28 <p>In the UK, overall greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector have decreased by 74% since 1990. This is mostly due to the implementation of methane recovery systems at UK landfill sites, increasing landfill methane capture rates, and reductions in the amount of biodegradable waste disposed of at landfill sites. In 2022, the waste sector accounted for 4.6% of total UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions, with landfill methane emissions responsible for 80% of the sector’s emissions.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to tackling these remaining emissions and are exploring options for the near elimination of municipal biodegradable waste being sent to landfill in England from 2028, in line with the commitment in the Net Zero Strategy. Under the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, set out within new s45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended by the Environment Act 2021), all households, businesses and relevant non-domestic premises will be required to arrange for the collection of food waste for recycling or composting. Recycling via anaerobic digestion will produce biogas and significant carbon savings over sending food waste to landfill. To explore further measures to achieve our commitment we issued a call for evidence on 26 May 2023 to support detailed policy development. A summary of responses to this call for evidence and further information will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>We are undertaking research to quantify site-specific methane emissions from landfill and update our understanding of residual (non-recyclable) waste composition. Both of these projects will support efforts to further reduce methane emissions from landfill sites and report our emissions in line with UNFCCC guidelines.</p><p> </p><p>Defra considers that Methane Suppressing Feed Products (MSFPs) are an essential tool to decarbonise the agriculture sector. In England, our objective is to establish a mature market for these products, encourage uptake and mandate the use of MSFPs in appropriate cattle systems as soon as feasibly possible and no later than 2030. We are committed to working with farmers and industry to achieve this goal, and in early March convened the inaugural meeting of a Ministerial-led industry taskforce on MSFPs.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (EPR) provide wide-ranging powers to control emissions to air, water and land from regulated installations through permits. Methane is a pollutant under the EPR and, where relevant, industrial installations must comply with EPR permit conditions to control and monitor methane.</p><p>In the 2020 Energy White Paper, the Government committed to the World Bank’s ‘Zero Routine Flaring by 2030’ initiative which aims to eliminate routine flaring from oil production globally.</p><p>Through the North Sea Transition Deal and the industry’s subsequent Methane Action Plan, UK industry has committed further to accelerate compliance with the World Bank's initiative where possible, set a 50% methane reduction target by 2030 (against a 2018 baseline) and have adopted the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative’s methane intensity target of 0.2% by 2025.</p><p>Emissions associated with methane venting and flaring are accounted for in our binding domestic carbon budgets.</p><p>The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) already expects methane emissions to be as low as possible, and for all new developments to be developed on the basis of zero routine flaring and venting, (and to be either electrified or electrification-ready).</p><p>All platforms are expected to have zero routine flaring and venting from or before 2030.</p><p>The consenting process for flaring and venting is administered by the NSTA, which is working with industry to keep non-routine flaring and venting to a minimum.</p><p>The NSTA recently consulted on its draft OGA Plan, which included a section on flaring and venting. It is due to publish its response and the final OGA plan soon.</p> Biography information for Matt Hancock Methane: Pollution Control To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to help reduce methane emissions from (a) anthropogenic sources, (b) landfills and (c) fossil fuel production. Methane: Pollution Control West Suffolk Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Matt Hancock 19339 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 1 2024-03-28T13:29:01.76Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-28 <p>Methane reduction technologies are within scope of Defra’s £270 million Farming Innovation Programme and were in scope of its predecessor, Farming Innovation Pathways.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s evidence programme includes Research &amp; Development exploring ways to reduce emissions from livestock. The portfolio includes research on nutrient and livestock management, feed and grazing regimes, methane suppressing feed products, ways to identify and selectively breed for more sustainable and productive animals, and ways to better manage manures.</p><p> </p><p>Defra considers that Methane Suppressing Feed Products (MSFPs) are an essential tool to decarbonise the agriculture sector. In England, our objective is to establish a mature market for these products, encourage uptake and mandate the use of MSFPs in appropriate cattle systems as soon as feasibly possible and no later than 2030. We are committed to working with farmers and industry to achieve this goal, and in early March convened the inaugural meeting of a Ministerial-led industry taskforce on MSFPs.</p><p> </p><p>The UK catalysed action on methane during our COP26 Presidency, including being one of the first countries to support the Global Methane Pledge - a collective commitment to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, against 2020 levels. As part of its commitment to the Global Methane Pledge, the UK published a Methane Memorandum in November 2023 during COP27. The Memorandum outlines how the UK has achieved a robust track record in reducing methane emissions and how it continues to explore and implement measures to secure future progress. We were pleased that methane emissions were prioritised at COP28, with more countries joining the Pledge and a particular focus on mobilising finance to support developing countries with their methane emissions. The UK committed £2 million to the Methane Finance Sprint.</p> 13 2024-03-19 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the usage of emerging technologies that help directly reduce methane levels in the atmosphere. Matt Hancock 13 false West Suffolk 1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of funding is the Government investing in methane reduction technologies. 19340 Methane: Pollution Control Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-28T13:24:47.267Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-28 <p>As announced in the Government’s Net Zero Strategy 2021, we are bringing forward £295 million of capital funding which will allow local authorities in England to prepare to implement free weekly separate food waste collections for all households in England. This will deliver significant carbon savings over sending food waste to landfill.</p><p> </p><p>Methane reduction technologies are within scope of Defra’s £270 million Farming Innovation Programme and were in scope of its predecessor, Farming Innovation Pathways.</p><p> </p><p>While primarily a safety focussed programme, the Health and Safety Executive-led Iron Mains Risk Reduction Programme (IMRRP) is expected to invest approximately £4 billion in replacing iron gas mains with plastic pipework over the current Ofgem price control period (2021-2026), improving safety and reducing methane emissions. By the conclusion of this programme in 2032, it is estimated that the IMRRP will have achieved a 66% reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions from the gas distribution network since the programme commenced in 2013.</p> 2024-03-19 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential connection between global ocean protection and mitigating the effects of climate change. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Climate Change: Marine Environment 1 Afzal Khan 2024-03-25T16:21:47.353Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-25 <p>The Government recognises that climate change and biodiversity loss, alongside other human pressures, are having a detrimental impact on ocean health. Ocean action can be part of our response to both challenges; protecting and restoring coastal and marine habitats can provide a wide array of benefits, including flood protection, improving biodiversity, carbon sequestration and supporting ecosystems to be more resilient to climate impacts.</p><p> </p><p>The UK plays a leading role in advocating for nature and ocean to be embedded in global climate action. The annual UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue was established under our COP26 Presidency. At COP28, we worked with international partners to secure a negotiated decision for the first Global Stocktake which encouraged the strengthening of ocean-based climate action.</p><p> </p><p>As Chair of the Global Ocean Alliance, the UK successfully led calls for ambitious and meaningful outcomes for the ocean from the Convention on Biological Diversity COP15. As agreed at that COP, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework includes commitments to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030, restore degraded ecosystems and to tackle the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification, with Parties noting the interlinkage between these targets.</p><p> </p><p>The UK played a significant and proactive role in securing The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement which will mean much greater protection for the two-thirds of the global ocean that lies beyond national jurisdiction. The Agreement will play a key role supporting the delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including helping to achieve the target to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.</p><p> </p><p>Financed from the UK aid budget, the £500 million Blue Planet Fund supports developing countries to reduce poverty, protect and sustainably manage their marine resources and address human-generated threats across four interlinked key themes, one of which is climate change.</p> false 2024-03-19 Manchester, Gorton Biography information for Afzal Khan 19453 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Biography information for Steven Bonnar 1 2024-03-19 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-25T16:18:23.3Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>We are in the process of reviewing the GB F-gas Regulation and have engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the GB F-gas Regulation and published an assessment report in December 2022, which included assessing measures related to leakage of F-gases. We intend to consult on proposals for change to the GB F-gas Regulation in due course.</p> 19474 19473 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with industry to develop policies on fluorinated gas regulation. 13 Steven Bonnar Fluorinated Gases: Regulation 19472 2024-03-19 Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steven Bonnar 19473 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-25T16:18:23.347Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>We are in the process of reviewing the GB F-gas Regulation and have engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the GB F-gas Regulation and published an assessment report in December 2022, which included assessing measures related to leakage of F-gases. We intend to consult on proposals for change to the GB F-gas Regulation in due course.</p> 19474 19472 Fluorinated Gases: Regulation 13 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his department is taking to work with industry on fluorinated gas regulation. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Fluorinated Gases: Regulation To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on fluorinated gas in helping to reduce emissions leakage. 2024-03-19 Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 2024-03-25T16:18:23.393Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>We are in the process of reviewing the GB F-gas Regulation and have engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the GB F-gas Regulation and published an assessment report in December 2022, which included assessing measures related to leakage of F-gases. We intend to consult on proposals for change to the GB F-gas Regulation in due course.</p> 19472 19473 Steven Bonnar false 19474 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 2024-03-19 Biography information for Marsha De Cordova 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) economic and (b) environmental impact of mandatory food waste reporting in Battersea. Battersea Food: Waste false 19458 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Marsha De Cordova 2024-03-22T13:40:32.253Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-22 <p>The 2022 public consultation on improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England included an Impact Assessment which assessed the economic and environmental impacts of the of the voluntary and mandatory approaches to reporting. These assessments were made at the national level. No regional or local assessments have been made.</p> HL3414 House of Lords Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to introduce a complete ban on the commercial movement of pregnant dogs, and (2) to increase the age at which puppies can be imported to six months. 2024-03-27T15:25:56.973Z Lord Douglas-Miller false 2024-03-27 Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller <p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill contains powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom, including prohibiting the import of heavily pregnant dogs over 42 days gestation and puppies under six months old.</p> Baroness Redfern Biography information for Baroness Redfern Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 2 2024-03-19 Dogs: Imports 2024-03-27T15:27:13.28Z Lord Douglas-Miller false 2024-03-27 <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation, including the cropping of a dog’s ears or the docking of their tails. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 creates tougher penalties for anyone convicted of such an offence face, either being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill contains powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails. This will prevent the import of non-exempted mutilated dogs for onward sale in the United Kingdom.</p> 2 2024-03-19 Dogs: Imports and Sales To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a complete ban on the (1) importation, and (2) sale, of dogs which have had (a) their ears cropped, or (b) their tails docked, for cosmetic reasons. HL3415 false Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Baroness Redfern 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19009 Bristol East 2024-03-18 1 Water Treatment: Microplastics Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Kerry McCarthy 2024-03-25T15:48:21.917Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>Government recently funded an external rapid evidence assessment to better understand the costs, benefits, and efficiencies of installing filters in washing machines. The filters aim to trap textile microplastic fibres during the laundry cycle and before discharge to sewer networks and wastewater treatment works. The assessment concluded further evidence was needed to determine how to avert additional costs incurred by consumers of new washing machines with filters, and the consumer’s sustainable disposal of used filters.</p><p> </p><p>A water industry investigation of the levels and types of microplastics entering a range of UK wastewater treatment works reported that conventional treatment can remove 99% of microplastics by number and 99.5% by mass.</p> To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of wastewater treatment networks in filtering out microplastics. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 Hendon Fisheries: Thailand Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 2024-03-18 1 Dr Matthew Offord Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of fisheries stocks imported from Thailand in each of the last five years. false 19048 2024-03-22T13:32:52.227Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-22 <p>The nominal value of seafood goods, mainly shrimps &amp; prawns, and skipjack tuna, imported from Thailand was £64m in 2019, £50m in 2020, £40m in 2021, £37m in 2022 and £36m last year.</p> false 1 Slough Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of high ocean temperatures on marine biodiversity in UK waters. 2024-03-22T13:30:46.043Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-22 <p>Through the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, we are improving our understanding of the impact of climate change, including on sea temperature and marine biodiversity. Evidence suggests that increasing sea temperature is associated with a number of possible impacts on marine biodiversity, such as changes in the range, distribution and abundance of marine species, impacts on growth rates and size, and altered foodwebs due to the location of primary production and prey availability.</p><p> </p><p>In the UK we are committed to ensuring that climate change adaptation, resilience and mitigation are fully considered and integrated in our marine and fisheries policies. The third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) was published on 17 July 2023 and showcases our plans to adapt to and mitigate the risks of a warming climate on the marine environment, including to protect, restore and create blue carbon habitats and manage the risks and opportunities to marine species, habitats, and fisheries.</p> 2024-03-18 13 19148 Marine Environment: Biodiversity Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-22T13:34:27.133Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-22 <p>There is a balance to be struck between protecting the wider public and their animals from dog attacks, the freedom people enjoy when walking their dogs, and the welfare of those dogs including the freedom to exhibit normal behaviours. We currently have no plans to legislate to compel dogs to be on leads in public places.</p><p> </p><p>The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs already states that it is best practice to keep dogs on leads around other animals. It is also an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to allow a dog to be on a designated road unless it is on a lead.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, enforcement authorities have powers to make Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) insisting dogs are kept on leads in certain areas. Where a dog has been involved in anti-social behaviour, enforcement authorities can also issue community protection notices which could require a dog to be kept on a lead in public.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Dogs: Public Places false Birmingham, Selly Oak To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of legislating to compel dogs to be put on leads in public places. Biography information for Steve McCabe 2024-03-18 13 18977 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve McCabe Chesterfield To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which local authorities (a) charged for collection of garden waste and b) provided a free garden waste service in 2023/24. 2024-03-18 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins 19043 13 1 Mr Toby Perkins false Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Gardens: Waste Disposal 2024-03-25T16:13:25.503Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not hold this data.</p><p> </p><p>Under section 45(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 waste collection authorities are permitted to charge a reasonable amount for the collection of garden waste.</p><p> </p><p>Local Authorities are best placed to determine the effective delivery of local services.</p> Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Chesterfield Gardens: Waste Disposal Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 2024-03-25T16:15:55.997Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not hold this data.</p> Mr Toby Perkins 1 19044 2024-03-18 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of local authorities that charged an annual fee of (a) less than £30, (b) £30.01- £40, (c) £40.01- £50, (d) £50.01- £75, (e) £75.01- £100.00 and (f) £100.01 or more for the collection of garden waste in the 2023-24 financial year. 13 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Legal Costs 13 2024-03-25T14:03:31.11Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-25 <p>Such information is not centrally recorded or collated in the form requested. More generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the long-standing policies on legal expenditure, as set out recently by Cabinet Office Ministers on 12 March 2004, Official Report, PQ 17709 and 12 March 2024, Official Report, House of Lords, Cols. 1901-1904.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South 19062 Jonathan Ashworth To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal (a) support and (b) representation to Ministers in his Department in relation to their official conduct in each of the last three years. 1 2024-03-18 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-18 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Biography information for Caroline Lucas Climate Change: Investment 1 2024-03-22T13:28:33.213Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-22 <p>The Government’s third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) was published in July 2023 and sets out how we are investing billions in projects to improve the UK’s climate resilience. This includes £5.2bn of investment over six years in flood and coastal erosion schemes in England, and £2.4bn per annum until the end of this current Parliament on the Farming and Countryside Programme which supports and helps to drive practices that embed greater climate adaptation in England's agriculture. Where government has concerns about the level of investment in resilience we have acted swiftly. For example, through the recent Plan for Water we have accelerated £2.2bn of investment in measures to secure a resilient, clean and plentiful supply of water now and in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also committed to support the flow of private finance into adaptation through the government’s 2023 Green Finance Strategy ‘<a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F1149690%2Fmobilising-green-investment-2023-green-finance-strategy.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cb7a5f9f18a5948461f9808dc49048a3a%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638465531045327196%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=IhhOz8XANeX%2Fs3NN5iGtFbYL9DF5GlospGPk86xbOs4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Mobilising Green Investment’</a>. This includes working with private sector partners to improve the approach to climate resilience assessment and disclosure, and supporting private and public collaboration to overcome barriers to investment and assist in the functioning of new markets.</p> Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Caroline Lucas 19037 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Climate Change Committee’s report entitled Investment for a well-adapted UK, published on 1 February 2023. 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Brighton, Pavilion Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 1 19038 Brighton, Pavilion Caroline Lucas 2024-03-18 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024-03-25T16:11:50.37Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-25 <p>(a) Defra published its Plan for Water 2023 which set out the importance of ensuring a clean and plentiful water supply in England. The Plan sets out our commitment to a twin track approach to improving water supply resilience, with action to reduce water company leaks and improve water efficiency, alongside investing in new supply infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>Last year, regional water resources groups and water companies consulted on their draft water resources plans. These statutory plans set out how each company will secure water supplies sustainably for at least the next 25 years and how drought resilience will be improved. The plans contain proposals for multiple new water resources schemes, including new reservoirs. Water companies also maintain statutory drought plans, which show the actions taken to maintain secure supplies during droughts.</p><p> </p><p>(b) To address water scarcity, the Government has set a new legally binding target under the Environment Act 2021 to reduce the use of our public water supply in England by 20% per person by 2038.  To achieve this, we will reduce household water use to 122 litres per person per day, reduce leakage by 37%, and reduce non-household (for example, businesses) water use by 9% by 31 March 2038. This is part of the trajectory to achieving 110 litres per person per day household water use, a 50% reduction in leakage and a 15% reduction in non-household water use by 2050. Our Plan for Water and Environmental Improvement Plan have set out our roadmap to water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, to be delivered over the next decade. This includes developing clear guidance on ‘water positive’ or ‘net zero water’ developments and roles for developers and water companies, including water company incentives. We are also working closely with water companies to increase the supply of water.</p><p> </p><p>In December 2023, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued a Written Ministerial Statement which set out that in areas of serious water stress, where water scarcity is inhibiting the adoption of Local Plans or the granting of planning permission for homes, we are encouraging local planning authorities to work with the Environment Agency and delivery partners to agree standards tighter than the 110 litres per day set out in current guidance. Defra will also be reviewing building regulations in spring 2024 to allow local planning authorities to introduce tighter water efficiency standards in new homes. Defra is also reviewing the evidence base for water reuse systems with a view to consulting on changes to the water supply regulations to enable greywater reuse and rainwater harvesting to be managed by water companies.</p><p> </p><p>At Spring Budget 2024, the Government published a policy paper setting out its ambition to address water scarcity in Greater Cambridge and measures to achieve this. It builds on significant interventions and investment of nearly £9 million - including £5.8 million of new funding - announced last July and at Autumn Statement 2023.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Droughts and Water Supply To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the risk of (a) drought and (b) water scarcity. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Climate Change: Public Participation Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 2024-03-21T14:39:21.947Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-21 <p>The Government is committed to hearing and learning from the views of different groups on how climate change impacts them, and how it can improve policies and programmes accordingly. The third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) sets out the actions we will take across Government to manage the risks of climate change in the period to 2028. We are taking a dynamic approach to managing the delivery of NAP3, to learn from what works and to continue to develop our response based on the science and developing climate projections. This will be informed by engagement with stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>A public dialogue, overseen by Defra and in partnership with UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI’s) Sciencewise Programme, Ipsos and the University of Leeds, explored the public’s perspectives on climate adaptation and how they think the government, businesses and civil society should address it. 120 members of the public took part in four locations across England. The report of this project was published in July 2023 on the Sciencewise website. It can be accessed at: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsciencewise.org.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2FClimate-Adaptation-Dialogue-Report.pdf&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ce5c6721233a94908569008dc48d43dcf%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638465323599424412%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=65xAOSINHcik4LEemxunhQkjK%2BFQ63%2FkmbaUrTUOAU4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://sciencewise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Climate-Adaptation-Dialogue-Report.pdf</a>.</p> 1 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to coordinate a public engagement programme on adaptation including (a) the risks posed by climate change and (b) actions that individuals can take. Brighton, Pavilion 2024-03-18 Caroline Lucas 13 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19039 2024-03-21T17:11:24.037Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-21 <p>We have been working closely with the Devolved Administrations to publish a UK-wide Government Response and agree a joined-up approach to the proposed ban across the UK. Our shared goal is to deliver a ban that is effective and proportionate. The UK-wide Government Response will be published this Spring.</p> Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false Biography information for Fleur Anderson Putney 1 Fleur Anderson 2024-03-18 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Disposable Wipes: Plastics To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason has the results of the consultation on plastic in wet wipes not yet been published. 13 19212 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the report on the plastic in wet wipes consultation. 2024-03-21T17:07:43.487Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-21 <p>Following the public consultation on the proposed ban of wet wipes containing plastic, Defra has been working with the Welsh Government, Scottish Government and NI Executive to prepare a UK-wide Government response. This will be published this Spring.</p> Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 19213 Disposable Wipes: Plastics Putney Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Fleur Anderson 2024-03-18 13 false 1 13 Tree Planting 2024-03-20T15:32:09.05Z Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow false 2024-03-20 <p>Last year we planted 3,600 hectares of new woodland and trees outside of woodland, this represents the highest planting rate for nearly a decade and an almost 40% increase on the previous year. This positive trend represents significant progress in achieving our targets and we have a strong pipeline for the next few years.</p><p> </p><p>We do not have regional targets for tree planting in England.</p><p> </p><p>Between 2020 and 2023 our Nature for Climate Fund has supported the White Rose Forest to plant 679 hectares of new trees and woodlands as part of England’s Community Forests Trees for Climate Programme. An additional 4.55 hectares plus 847 Standard Trees have been planted in the White Rose Forest under the Northern Forest Nature for Climate Grant between 2021 and 2023. With continued funding, the White Rose Forest is projected to plant significant additional hectares of woodland and numbers of standard trees this year.</p> 2024-03-15 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rachael Maskell Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 18895 York Central Biography information for Rachael Maskell Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 1 To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on his targets on tree planting in (a) England and (b) Yorkshire; and what steps he is taking to measure progress on extending the canopy of the White Rose Forest. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 2024-03-19T16:40:15.247Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-19 <p>Defra has undertaken a post-implementation review (PIR) of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations) as mandated by the regulations’ review clause. This evaluation assesses the extent to which the regulations have achieved their intended goals and identifies areas for potential improvement.</p><p>The PIR will be published soon.</p> Henry Smith false Animal Welfare Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 18880 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the findings of the post-implementation review of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. 13 Crawley 2024-03-15 2024-03-21T17:58:15.57Z Sherwood Mark Spencer false 2024-03-21 <p>In August 2021 we launched a consultation on the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain. It was a wide-ranging consultation with excellent engagement and some complex issues to work through. The consultation response will be published soon.</p> 1 Pets: Imports To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the Government response to the consultation on commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into Great Britain, launched in August 2021. 2024-03-15 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Christchurch Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 18829 Sir Christopher Chope false Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 13 Rachael Maskell Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sewers: Infrastructure 18737 2024-03-21T15:32:22.153Z Keighley Robbie Moore false 2024-03-21 <p>The Government recognises the importance of having a robust capacity and performance for England’s sewage and drainage infrastructure, both now and into future. As part of the Environment Act 2021, a new duty has been created for water companies in England, including Yorkshire Water, to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). DWMPs set out how a water company intends to improve their drainage and wastewater systems over the next 25 years, accounting for factors including growing population and changing environmental circumstances. These plans will help sewerage companies to fully assess the capacity of the wastewater network and develop collaborative solutions to current problems and future issues. The plans will bring together various stakeholders including local authorities and industry regulators. Taking a longer-term strategic approach to drainage management, will help to identify and mitigate issues related to insufficient network capacity or damaged infrastructure.</p> To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) current and (b) future (i) capacity and (ii) performance of sewage and drainage infrastructure in (A) England and (B) York. York Central 13 2024-03-14 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs false 25416