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1167636

registered interest
date	31/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Dogs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage people to adopt rescue dogs rather than buy from breeders.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	8198
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>Rescue and rehoming centres carry out important work to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK are offered the opportunity of a forever home. We advise those seeking to acquire a new dog to first consider adopting from a reputable dog rescue and rehoming centre. However, we appreciate that a number of prospective owners would like a puppy and may have a specific breed in mind. That is why in 2018 the Government updated and improved the regulations on dog breeding in England. This included introducing strict statutory welfare standards that all licensed dog breeders must meet. In addition, from 6 April 2020 it will be an offence for commercial third party sellers to sell puppies or kittens, which are defined as under the age of 6 months. These steps aim to improve the welfare of dogs.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 05/11/2019 17:11:46 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1167637

registered interest
date	31/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Wildlife: Fireworks
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect wildlife from public and private firework displays.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	8199
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Government takes the matter of fireworks seriously. We understand the concerns that many people have about the potential for distress to be caused by fireworks to animals, including pets, livestock and wildlife. This is one of the reasons why there are existing laws in place to control firework availability and use by both the general public and professional display operators. Measures including age related restrictions, a curfew and a noise limit help to reduce disturbance to animals.</p><p> </p><p>It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal that is under a person’s control. The maximum penalty for such an offence is 6 months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 05/11/2019 17:09:24 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1167638

registered interest
date	31/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Biodiversity: Property Development
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the proposed 10 per cent biodiversity net gain in new developments on the effectiveness of the nature recovery network.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	8263
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>We published an <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/839610/net-gain-ia.pdf" target="_blank">impact assessment</a> which quantifies the potential benefits of a mandatory biodiversity net gain requirement. This analysis estimates that net gain is likely to deliver several thousands of hectares of habitat creation and enhancement per year, and we anticipate this will make an important contribution to the Nature Recovery Network (NRN).</p><p> </p><p>Beyond the contribution of biodiversity net gain, the NRN requires clear spatial strategies to direct investment, strong partnerships to support its delivery, and a clear set of incentives and land management actions to drive improvements.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 05/11/2019 17:36:53 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1167639

registered interest
date	31/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Environment Bill
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of whether local planning authorities have sufficient resources to implement the proposed requirements of the Environment Bill.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	8264
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Government wants to see better planning for nature, in a way that’s more efficient as well as effective. The Environment Bill will provide greater certainty through the planning system on how to plan effectively for the local environment.</p><p> </p><p>We consulted local authorities during the policy making stage, and continue to be committed to working in partnership with local government on the implementation of these measures.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will cover any additional costs these measures place on local authorities.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 05/11/2019 17:34:41 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1167672

registered interest
date	31/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Flood Control: Worcestershire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Environment Agency has to build flood protection schemes in Severn Stoke and Tenbury Wells.
tabling member constituency	West Worcestershire
tabling member printed	Harriett Baldwin
uin	8283
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) is continuing to work with partners and the local community to reduce the impacts of flooding in Severn Stoke. The EA is undertaking further modelling and assessments of a proposed design for a flood alleviation scheme. Given the small rural community, this project is an economically challenging scheme and the EA is working with wider professional parties to identify a suitable delivery route and viable way for the scheme to be built. Subject to planning approval and adequate funds being in place it is anticipated that work can commence on site in 2020 to ensure completion during 2021. The EA anticipate the local community will be able to submit an outline planning application this winter.</p><p> </p><p>Tenbury has suffered from extensive flooding on a number of occasions with direct impacts affecting homes and businesses. An economic appraisal of the feasibility design completed in 2007 estimated that delivery of a full flood defence scheme would cost around £5.5 million. However, the scheme as it stands is unlikely to attract more than £1 million of Flood Defence Grant in Aid, leaving a substantial partnership funding gap.</p><p> </p><p>The EA are currently updating this appraisal to re-assess the scale of defences required but do not anticipate the revised potential costs to have changed significantly, they may have potentially increased. Because of the funding deficit, the scheme will not be able to progress until significant contributions have been secured. The EA are reviewing all delivery options for the scheme, including engaging with Local Enterprise Partnerships, businesses and the local authority and continues to look at strategic options.</p><p> </p><p>The EA continues to actively work with local flood action groups in both locations. In the meantime property level flood resilience measures were installed to a limited number of properties between 2010 and 2012 and these were in operation last weekend.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 05/11/2019 17:41:49 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin

1151640

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Rivers: Environment Protection
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to protect the (1) water level, and (2) quality, of chalk streams and rivers.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Caithness
uin	HL277
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The 25 Year Environment Plan and Abstraction Plan set out the Government’s commitment and actions to protect our water environment and the Environment Bill aims to strengthen this.</p><p> </p><p>Abstraction licence changes made by the Environment Agency since 2008 are returning 16 billion litres of water back to chalk streams per year and removed the risk of further 14.9 billion litres being abstracted a year. Further abstraction reductions are planned in the next few years. Additionally, through the Environment Bill the government is taking action to address abstraction that is causing, or is at risk of causing, environmental damage and to remove unused headroom on an abstraction licence where there is no justifiable reason for having it.</p><p> </p><p>A programme of habitat restoration is underway in England, including 11 chalk river Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Since 2011 over 70 kilometres of the chalk stream priority habitat has been improved through 60 projects costing £4.3 million including £1.6m partner contributions.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2006, Catchment Sensitive Farming has provided grants and advice to help reduce pollution from farms within 68 priority catchments, including chalk streams.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 05/11/2019 17:46:44 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	3310 label Biography information for The Earl of Caithness

1151641

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Chilterns: High Speed 2 Line
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in order to secure the (1) water level, and (2) quality, of chalk streams, what plans they have to prevent HS2 from using water to tunnel through the Chilterns.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Caithness
uin	HL278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency is advising HS2 Ltd and their contractors on mitigating the potential impacts of their works on water level and quality of chalk streams. This includes water usage for tunnelling in the Chilterns. The Environment Agency will review any application for increased abstraction in the Colne catchment in line with the current Colne Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on the environment.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 05/11/2019 17:45:47 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	3310 label Biography information for The Earl of Caithness

1151642

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Seasonal Workers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of unpicked fruit on UK farms due to a lack of labour; and what plans they have to ensure that there is enough labour to pick winter vegetables on UK farms.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Caithness
uin	HL279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>We know that the horticulture sector requires a high proportion of seasonal workers. The Government introduced a new pilot for 2019 and 2020 enabling up to 2,500 non-European Economic Area migrant workers to come to the UK to undertake seasonal employment in the edible horticultural sector. As of June 2019, pilot operators had recruited all 2,500 workers who continued to arrive in the following months for the harvesting of winter vegetables. This pilot is not designed to meet the full labour needs of the horticultural sector. Rather we are seeking to evaluate the immigration pilot’s ability to assist in alleviating labour shortages during peak production periods.</p><p> </p><p>Defra and the Home Office continue to monitor the impact of the seasonal workers pilot and the workforce pressures faced by farmers as we look at how best to support the longer-term needs of industry outside the EU.</p><p> </p><p>EU citizens can continue to come to the UK for work in 2019 and 2020 regardless of whether the UK reaches a deal with the EU. This includes for seasonal work on farms. EU citizens arriving after we leave the EU, in a no deal scenario, will need to apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain, granting a further 36 months in the UK if they want to stay after 31 December 2020, which is the deadline for applying to the scheme.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 05/11/2019 17:43:38 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	3310 label Biography information for The Earl of Caithness

1151649

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are on track to meet their commitment, made in December 2014, that the English Coastal Path will be completed and open in 2020; and if not, what are the reasons for any delays.
tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
uin	HL286
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>Work is well underway on all 66 stretches of the England Coast Path - a new National Trail around all of England’s coast. A European court judgement in April 2018 affected how Natural England could assess the impact of England Coast Path proposals on environmentally protected sites, and progress on the England Coast Path slowed as a result. While this means the path in its entirety is unlikely to be open in 2020, Natural England will work towards opening as much of the England Coast Path as possible throughout 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The England Coast Path when completed will stretch approximately 2,717 miles around the coast. To date 385 miles (14%, 12 stretches) have been completed and new rights commenced, with a further 98 miles (4%, 4 stretches) undergoing establishment works before they are open for the public to walk. A summary of progress on each of the 16 open and approved stretches, with opening dates where known, is included in Tables A and B. The 50 unopened stretches are summarised in Table C. It is not currently possible to give estimated opening dates for many of the stretches still in progress. This is because the timeline for the final stages of the process depends on several factors including the number and nature of comments during the public consultation and the complexity of implementing works on the ground.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Table A - Open stretches</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Stretch name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Opening date</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rufus Castle to Lulworth Cove</p></td><td><p>29/06/2012</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Allonby to Whitehaven</p></td><td><p>11/04/2014</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North Gare to South Bents</p></td><td><p>12/04/2014</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sea Palling to Weybourne</p></td><td><p>12/12/2014</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Brean Down to Minehead</p></td><td><p>15/03/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Camber to Folkestone</p></td><td><p>19/07/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Folkestone to Ramsgate</p></td><td><p>19/07/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge</p></td><td><p>21/07/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hopton On Sea to Sea Palling</p></td><td><p>24/10/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South Bents to Amble</p></td><td><p>26/07/2018</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Skegness to Mablethorpe</p></td><td><p>27/02/2019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Newport Bridge to North Gare</p></td><td><p>18/09/2019</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Table B - Unopened stretches undergoing building works</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Stretch name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Opening date</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Walney Island</p></td><td><p>February 2020 (estimate)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Whitehaven to Silecroft</p></td><td><p>TBC</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ramsgate to Whitstable</p></td><td><p>TBC</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Maldon to Salcott</p></td><td><p>TBC</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Table C - Unopened stretches</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Stretches</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South West</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South East</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Essex</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL287 question first answered 05/11/2019 17:42:45 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1151650

registered interest
date	22/10/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which sections of the English Coastal Path are now open; and what are the expected opening dates of those sections in each area which are not yet open.
tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
uin	HL287
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>Work is well underway on all 66 stretches of the England Coast Path - a new National Trail around all of England’s coast. A European court judgement in April 2018 affected how Natural England could assess the impact of England Coast Path proposals on environmentally protected sites, and progress on the England Coast Path slowed as a result. While this means the path in its entirety is unlikely to be open in 2020, Natural England will work towards opening as much of the England Coast Path as possible throughout 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The England Coast Path when completed will stretch approximately 2,717 miles around the coast. To date 385 miles (14%, 12 stretches) have been completed and new rights commenced, with a further 98 miles (4%, 4 stretches) undergoing establishment works before they are open for the public to walk. A summary of progress on each of the 16 open and approved stretches, with opening dates where known, is included in Tables A and B. The 50 unopened stretches are summarised in Table C. It is not currently possible to give estimated opening dates for many of the stretches still in progress. This is because the timeline for the final stages of the process depends on several factors including the number and nature of comments during the public consultation and the complexity of implementing works on the ground.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Table A - Open stretches</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Stretch name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Opening date</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rufus Castle to Lulworth Cove</p></td><td><p>29/06/2012</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Allonby to Whitehaven</p></td><td><p>11/04/2014</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North Gare to South Bents</p></td><td><p>12/04/2014</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sea Palling to Weybourne</p></td><td><p>12/12/2014</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Brean Down to Minehead</p></td><td><p>15/03/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Camber to Folkestone</p></td><td><p>19/07/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Folkestone to Ramsgate</p></td><td><p>19/07/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge</p></td><td><p>21/07/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hopton On Sea to Sea Palling</p></td><td><p>24/10/2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South Bents to Amble</p></td><td><p>26/07/2018</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Skegness to Mablethorpe</p></td><td><p>27/02/2019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Newport Bridge to North Gare</p></td><td><p>18/09/2019</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Table B - Unopened stretches undergoing building works</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Stretch name</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Opening date</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Walney Island</p></td><td><p>February 2020 (estimate)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Whitehaven to Silecroft</p></td><td><p>TBC</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ramsgate to Whitstable</p></td><td><p>TBC</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Maldon to Salcott</p></td><td><p>TBC</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Table C - Unopened stretches</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Stretches</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South West</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South East</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Essex</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL286 question first answered 05/11/2019 17:42:45 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves