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1716991

registered interest
date	09/05/2024
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	Furs: Zoonoses
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 he has made of the risk of infectious zoonotic diseases (a) mutating in and (b) spreading from fur farms to other mammals; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that risk.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	25581
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government shares the British public’s high regard for animal welfare. Fur farming has been banned in England and Wales since 2000 (2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland). Fur farming is legal in some EU countries. Where outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza virus have occurred in fur farms in Europe in recent years, the governments in those countries took action to cull the affected farms to mitigate the risk of spread.</p><p> </p><p>Nevertheless, together with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) we are keeping a close eye on the findings of zoonotic pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza in mink, foxes and other animals farmed for fur and the possible risk to human and animal health. We are vigilant to changes in risk and continue to use our established systems which include international disease monitoring programmes in the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and UKHSA to monitor the situation the outcomes of which are reviewed through our Veterinary Risk Group (VRG) and the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fcollections%2Fhuman-animal-infections-and-risk-surveillance-group-hairs&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692323090%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wN1YPicxpEPw5WL3O50gYl%2BQ03K6dwT8SfHka1WkHRA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group</a>. The HAIRS group have published a <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fhairs-risk-assessment-avian-influenza-ah5n1-in-non-avian-uk-wildlife&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692334965%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ums5KF2%2BfAA8srJqFApXuw%2Bm2tiaf%2Fv5u4cPfVYpZwE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">risk assessment on the transmission from animals to humans of influenza of avian origin</a> and on the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fhairs-risk-assessment-on-sars-cov-2-in-mustelinae-population&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692342651%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=nKgulv3KkoaqcOz0lNhnyDcmNPvq8wa0t52wVt4J8DA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">risk SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK captive or wild Mustelidae populations presents to the UK human population</a>. There is no direct exposure to infected fur farms for kept or wild mammals in the UK and there is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>International collaboration and knowledge exchange on avian influenza and other zoonotic pathogens is facilitated through discussions between the UK Chief Veterinary Officer and representatives from our national and international reference laboratories, and their counterparts in the EU and globally through the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the QUADs alliance and allied projects. Including through the joint WOAH-FOA Scientific Network on animal influenza <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.offlu.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692351670%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bEJVKWc6SnGFu3jNgvkASrg9ASiyfFrhmMLRccBpuKA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">OFFLU</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 17/05/2024 12:01:33 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716992

registered interest
date	09/05/2024
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	Furs: Imports and Sales
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 his Department's policy is on the (a) import and (b) sale of fur in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	25582
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2024 answer text <p>We have committed to explore potential action in relation to animal fur, as set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. We are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade. We have also commissioned a report from our expert Animal Welfare Committee into the issue of what constitutes responsible sourcing in the fur industry. This report will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 17/05/2024 11:00:46 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716246

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
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	Hunting: Crime
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 recent estimate he has made of the scale of illegal hunting with dogs in (a) England and (b) Wales.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	25068
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>Enforcement of the Hunting Act is an operational matter for the police. This is in line with their duties to keep the peace, protect communities and prevent the committing of offences, working within the provisions of the legal framework set by Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 15/05/2024 12:14:39 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716247

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
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	Hunting: Anti-social Behaviour
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 he has made of the potential impact on rural communities in (a) Wales and (b) England of anti-social behaviour associated with hunting with dogs.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	25069
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs except where it is carried out in accordance with the exemptions in the Act. Since the introduction of the Act, many hunt organisations across the country have worked hard to adapt their activities towards trail hunting, which is intended to retain important traditions as part of the fabric of rural life without harming wildlife. We recognise it is possible that dogs may on occasion pick up and follow the scent of live foxes. If this occurs, it is the responsibility of the dog owner to control their dog. Those found guilty under the Hunting Act are subject to the full force of the law, and enforcement is an operational matter for the police.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 15/05/2024 12:02:14 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716248

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
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: Northern Ireland
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 recent discussions he has had with the Minister for the Environment in the Northern Ireland Executive.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	25070
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>Regular engagement with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs at Ministerial and official level is a priority for the Secretary of State and he will meet Minister Muir at his earliest convenience.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 15/05/2024 11:52:01 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716249

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
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	Forests and Wildlife: Crime
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 he has made on implementing the recommendations included in the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime report entitled Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Report, published in 2021.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	25071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>We welcomed the UN Office of Drugs and Crime report and the fact that it recognised the UK's global leadership in fighting wildlife and forestry crime. We invited the UN to undertake this analysis and we are proud to be the first G7 country to request this assessment.</p><p> </p><p>We have carefully considered all the recommendations of the report and they are informing our work to help us build on the positive progress we have already made in tackling wildlife crime. This will include strategic engagement with our partners that have responsibilities where individual recommendations are concerned such as the devolved administrations, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU).</p><p> </p><p>Many of the resourcing recommendations fall outside of Defra's remit but progress has already been made in response to the report. For example, in 2022 Defra more than doubled its funding of the NWCU to £1.2 million for the three-year period from 2022 to 2025, compared to £495,000 in the three years previous. Additionally, Border Force has increased numbers in their team specialising in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 15/05/2024 11:45:27 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1715368

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
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: Veterinary Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many XL Bullies registered with the exemption scheme have not been neutered.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	24561
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>For a Certificate of Exemption to remain valid, owners must arrange to have their XL Bully dog neutered and to provide evidence of this to Defra by set deadlines. These deadlines are 30 June 2024 if the dog was 12 months or older on 31 January 2024, 31 December 2024 if the dog was at least 7 months old, but less than 12 months old on 31 January 2024, and 30 June 2025 if the dog was younger than 7 months on 31 January 2024.</p><p> </p><p>As these deadlines have not yet passed, we have not received and processed all forms and so we do not hold data on the number of XL Bullies that have not been neutered. We recommend that owners arrange for their dogs to be neutered as soon as possible to meet these deadlines.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 07/05/2024 14:04:48 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1715369

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
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: Enforcement
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 he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of measures to reduce the need to seize dogs which are likely to be exempted from Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	24562
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>Dogs that are prohibited under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and which do not have a valid certificate of exemption could be seized by the Police.</p><p> </p><p>In these cases, there is an interim exemption scheme which allows suspected prohibited dogs to remain with their owners in advance of a court hearing. It is for the Police to determine whether to make use of this scheme on a case-by-case basis.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 09/05/2024 13:50:57 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1715370

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
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: Crime
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making the use of catapults to harm wildlife illegal.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	24563
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously, including those involving the use of catapults. There is already sufficient legislation in place which protects wildlife against the use of catapults.</p><p> </p><p>The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and some wild animals in England and Wales. While the Act does not specifically include catapults in the list of weapons that a person must not use to kill an animal, it is still illegal under this Act to deliberately attempt to kill, injure, or harm protected species. There are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wildlife under provisions not just in this Act, but also in the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of crimes against wildlife under these Acts.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 07/05/2024 13:58:51 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716291

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Wales Office
answering dept id	28
answering dept short name	Wales
answering dept sort name	Wales
hansard heading	Crime: Victim Support Schemes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is taking to help support victims of crime in Newport West constituency.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	902659
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>The protection of victims across England and Wales, including Newport West, is a key priority for the Government. Through the Police Uplift Programme, Gwent Police now has 227 more officers, with a total of 1527 officers serving the people of Gwent. Furthermore, funding for Gwent Police is being increased by up to £13m compared to 2023/24.</p> answering member constituency Brecon and Radnorshire answering member printed Fay Jones question first answered 08/05/2024 13:08:19 answering member 4763 label Biography information for Fay Jones
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones