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1674391

registered interest
date	30/11/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Veterinary Medicine: Dangerous Dogs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support veterinary practices following the ban on American XL Bully dogs.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	4751
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2023 answer text <p>The Government has produced specific guidance for vets relating to their role in the neutering and euthanasia of XL Bully dogs. Vets can refer to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Code of Conduct with regard to their professional responsibilities.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 07/12/2023 16:36:45 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1674393

registered interest
date	30/11/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Dangerous 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 discussions his Department has had with stakeholders on the definition of an XL bully type dog.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	4753
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2023 answer text <p>Defra convened a group of experts and other stakeholders to define the physical characteristics of the breed type. This included representatives from the police, local authorities, devolved administrations and the Animal Welfare Committee, which advises the Government on animal welfare issues. The definition and guidance have been published on Gov.uk to help the police and owners understand whether a dog should be defined as an XL Bully.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 07/12/2023 13:37:38 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1608166

registered interest
date	28/03/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Litter
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 the Government is taking to reduce litter in (a) Watford constituency and (b) nationally.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	175687
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2023 answer text <p>Our new Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan sets out how we will support councils to take tougher action against those who litter. This includes significantly raising the upper limit on fixed penalty notices from £150 to £500, and measures to help councils issue more penalties.</p><p> </p><p>Our Litter Strategy for England sets out our aim to deliver a substantial reduction in litter and littering within a generation. It contains a number of commitments and progress reports are available at: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Flitter-strategy-for-england-progress-reports&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqtransfers%40defra.gov.uk%7C64cf9ba0c8f34444355f08db3066d71e%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638156990468520681%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kqRhZVgbYo%2BKXpCuEPYDBfp5rX5PppSw2KGlTChA5ok%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/litter-strategy-for-england-progress-reports</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Since publishing the Litter Strategy, we have published guidance on the provision of litter bins and provided nearly £1 million across 44 councils to help councils purchase new bins. Watford Borough Council were one of the recipients of this grant funding.</p><p> </p><p>We have also announced our plans for a Deposit Return Scheme for drinking containers. We estimate that where the rate of return reaches 90% in year 3 of the scheme there will be an equivalent 90% reduction of in-scope containers discarded as litter.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 04/04/2023 11:23:12 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1608175

registered interest
date	28/03/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Cats and Dogs: Tagging
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 progress has been made in analysing the responses to the Consultation on cat and dog microchipping legislation in England.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	175696
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2023 answer text <p>We will shortly issue the summary of responses and the Government’s response to the ‘Consultation on cat and dog microchipping legislation in England’ which was launched in Spring 2022.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 31/03/2023 08:34:33 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1605616

registered interest
date	20/03/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Litter
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 she has made of the adequacy of the local council’s powers to deal with litter (a) nationally and (b) in Watford constituency.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	169481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2023 answer text <p>In recent years we have bolstered local authority enforcement powers by raising the upper limit on fixed penalty notices for littering and introducing powers to issue the keeper of a vehicle, from which litter is thrown, with a civil penalty. We have also published guidance on the provision of litter bins and provided nearly £1 million across 44 councils to help them purchase new bins.</p><p> </p><p>We will be undertaking a research project which considers the effectiveness of the different enforcement options available to local authorities, including fixed penalties, and the barriers they face in using these. The results of this research will inform policy development in this area.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/03/2023 09:20:48 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1605620

registered interest
date	20/03/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Dogs: Animal Breeding
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 her Department is taking to ensure that breeders of dogs adhere to breeding licensing conditions.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	169483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2023 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, licenced dog breeders must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse, vary or revoke licences. It is an offence to breach a license condition or carry on a licensable activity without a license and Local authorities are afforded powers to prosecute such cases under the 2018 Regulations. To assist local authorities in their application of the licensing regime, the Government maintains statutory guidance which they must have regard to. This aims to improve consistency in interpretation and application of the licensing regime across England.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 23/03/2023 11:19:29 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1605622

registered interest
date	20/03/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Wildlife: Conservation
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 she is taking to protect the (a) populations and (b) habitats of (i) hedgehogs, (ii) red squirrels and (iii) rare species of wildlife in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	169484
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2023 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to taking action to recover our threatened native species, that is why we have set four legally binding targets to drive and measure improvements in nature recovery in England. These targets are: to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030; then to reverse declines by 2042; to reduce the risk of species extinction by 2042; and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat, also by 2042. We have set out our plan and policies to deliver against our species biodiversity targets in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) published 31 January 2023. The EIP23 revises the 25-Year Environment Plan as part of our obligations under the Environment Act.</p><p> </p><p>Measures introduced in the Environment Act such as biodiversity net gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies will help deliver actions to recover species such as the hedgehog. Additionally, our new environmental land management schemes will pay for sustainable farming practices, creating and preserving habitat such as such as woodland, heathland and species-rich grassland, as well as making landscape-scale environmental changes, all of which could benefit species such as hedgehog.</p><p>Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission are signatories to the United Kingdom Squirrel Accord. This partnership, of over 40 organisations seeks, to secure and expand red squirrel populations through the delivery of actions set out in the England Red Squirrel Action Plan. Additionally, Defra has provided £300k, to support research and development of fertility control methods to reduce numbers of grey squirrels and impacts on red squirrels, tree health and forestry. Work to reduce grey squirrel impacts will be supported by Defra’s commitment in the EIP to update the 2014 Grey Squirrel Action Plan, detailing commitments to support landowners to manage the numbers of grey squirrels.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 24/03/2023 12:45:22 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1605623

registered interest
date	20/03/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Plastics: Waste
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 her Department has taken to support small businesses to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	169485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2023 answer text <p>We are taking steps to help small businesses reduce their use of single-use plastic items.</p><p> </p><p>The 5p single-use carrier bag charge was introduced in England in October 2015 and has had a dramatic impact. The number of single-use plastic carrier bags sold by the main retailers has fallen from 7.6 billion in 2014, to 197 million in 2021/2022, a reduction of over 97%. To build on the success of the charge so far and to create a level playing field for all large and small businesses alike, we increased the charge from 5p to 10p and extended it to all retailers from 21 May 2021.</p><p> </p><p>We recently announced measures to ban the supply of single-use plastic plates, cutlery, and balloon sticks, and expanded and extruded polystyrene food and beverage containers, including cups from October 2023. This ban will apply to all businesses including small businesses.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 23/03/2023 17:51:14 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1587263

registered interest
date	20/02/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Dogs: Tagging
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 progress her Department has made on ensuring all dogs are microchipped.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	148812
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2023 answer text <p>Under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015, it is an offence to not microchip a dog. Around 90% of dogs in the UK are now microchipped. The Government works with stakeholders to remind the public of the legal requirement and the benefits of microchipping.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 28/02/2023 10:30:45 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1587265

registered interest
date	20/02/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Cats: Tagging
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 progress her Department has made on introducing compulsory cat microchipping.
tabling member constituency	Watford
tabling member printed	Dean Russell
uin	148813
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2023 answer text <p>We plan to lay regulations soon which will bring compulsory cat microchipping into force in England. Once in force, cat keepers will have 12 months to comply with the new requirements.<strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 28/02/2023 10:25:31 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell