Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1700737

registered interest
date	15/04/2024
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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of flooding on farmland on the likelihood of food shortages and loss of farm income.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL3773
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK agricultural sector is highly resilient and adaptable and operates in an open market with the value of commodities established by those in the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>The recent prolonged period of wet weather has impacted the UK arable and livestock sectors in several ways. These include late/limited planting opportunities for arable and horticulture crops; delayed turn out of grazing animals and the associated risk of diseases in keeping animals housed indoors for longer periods than usual, concerns about the potential scarcity and cost of straw; a build-up of stored slurry and reduced application opportunities; and wider concerns about the impact on mental health of farmers. Yields and productivity will also vary depending on individual farmer decisions, region, area and in the case of the arable sector, crop and soil type amongst other factors.</p><p> </p><p>A number of individual farms have clearly been affected by the wet weather. While the current market assessment is that there may be implications over the coming months for certain commodities, particularly in the expected yield and quality of several arable crops this summer/autumn, it is still too early to predict the full impact on domestic food production, especially if the weather improves in the coming weeks.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor the on-going situation, working closely with the industry and through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG). The UK AMMG held an interim meeting on 16 April to specifically consider the impacts of the weather on each commodity sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to provide farmers support to recover from uninsurable damage with grants of between £500 and £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was before exceptional flooding of Storm Henk. The fund was initially opened in nine English local authority areas where the Flood Recovery Framework has been activated to help farms which have experienced the highest levels of flooding. Eligibility for the Fund is actively under review.</p><p> </p><p>This forms part of a package of support available to farmers through the Flood Recovery Framework, including a grant of up to £2,500 through the Business Recovery Grant Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security, fulfilling the duty in the Agriculture Act 2020 to present a report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years. It examines trends relevant to food security to present the best available understanding. The report was last published in December 2021 and will next be published by December 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Starting this year, we are strengthening our food security monitoring by producing the Annual Food Security Index. This will complement the UKFSR with a shorter and more regular report. The first version will be published at the Farm to Fork Summit in the Spring.</p><p> </p><p>The next UKFSR, which will be published later this year, will include analysis on the risk of flooding to food security as part of its assessment of longer-term climate-related trends.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller grouped question UIN HL3774 HL3775 question first answered 24/04/2024 13:45:13 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1624567

registered interest
date	27/04/2023
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any instances where companies are raising consumer prices above the rate of inflation in order to increase their profits.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL7552
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2023 answer text <p><strong> </strong>The Competition and Markets Authority monitors firms suspected of profiteering to challenge unjustifiable price increases and takes enforcement action where there is evidence that competition or consumer protection law has been broken.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to monitor the operation of consumer markets and keeps all options under review to ensure good value and service for consumers.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 16/05/2023 15:42:09 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1175805

registered interest
date	27/01/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what data they collect about air pollution at, and near to, airports.
tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
uin	HL798
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2020 answer text <p>The Government has a national air quality monitoring network. In addition to this, local authorities undertake their own monitoring and have an obligation to review and assess local air quality and to take action where they have identified an air quality problem.</p><p> </p><p>Different airports have different obligations for monitoring and reporting air quality, with some reporting requirements necessary by law through planning obligations. Results of this monitoring are shared with stakeholders and are available online.</p><p> </p><p>In the Aviation Strategy, the Government is considering a broad range of national aviation-related air quality initiatives including proposals to improve the monitoring of air pollution around airports.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 10/02/2020 17:06:59 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	4297 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

1173110

registered interest
date	23/01/2020
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their plans to reform care and support will consider adults of all ages and unpaid carers, as well as older people.
tabling member printed	Lord Porter of Spalding
uin	HL760
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>Putting social care on a sustainable footing, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, is one of the biggest challenges we face as a society. The Government will bring forward a plan for social care this year. The Government will seek to build cross-party consensus and will outline next steps shortly.</p> answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford question first answered 29/01/2020 17:11:11 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
tabling member	4555 label Biography information for Lord Porter of Spalding

1173124

registered interest
date	23/01/2020
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in eliminating Japanese knotweed.
tabling member printed	Baroness Wilcox
uin	HL774
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises the threats posed by invasive non-native species including Japanese knotweed and has a comprehensive Great Britain Non-native Species Strategy designed to tackle these threats, the first of its kind in Europe.</p><p> </p><p>Local Action Groups, with support from the Government, are actively involved in reducing and eradicating Japanese knotweed. Increasing public awareness of the species and what can be done about it is an important part of tackling the problems caused by Japanese knotweed. To that aim, we launched the first Invasive Species Week in 2015, to bring together a wide range of organisations to raise awareness of invasive non-native species, to highlight work going on to tackle them and to inspire people to get involved and help prevent their spread. Invasive Species Week has gone from strength to strength, with eight administrations taking part in 2019 and 93 events held.</p><p> </p><p>Defra continues to fund a biocontrol programme through the release of a psyllid insect to tackle Japanese knotweed. The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) is working to establish the highly specific psyllid <em>Aphalara itadori</em> in the UK and a population of climatically suitable psyllids from Japan is being studied in CABI’s quarantine in Surrey. It is hoped this will be the key to unlocking the potential of this agent to reduce the effort and cost of managing Japanese knotweed and its invasive capacity. Research is also underway to evaluate a leaf-spot fungus for use as a mycoherbicide.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has developed guidance on how to prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed, which can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-japanese-knotweed-from-spreading</a></p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 28/01/2020 17:15:32 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1727 label Biography information for Baroness Wilcox

1172736

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the (1) killing of Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram, and (2) bringing to justice those responsible for his death.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL667
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>The UK is appalled by the reported execution of Reverend Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram. The Minister for Africa tweeted his condolences on 21 January and echoed President Buhari's condemnation of this senseless killing. While we have not made representations to the Government of Nigeria about this specific incident, we regularly engage the Government on tackling the terrorist threat in North East Nigeria. Most recently, the Prime Minister raised his concerns about increasing levels of violence in North East Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK-Africa Investment Summit on 20 January. To help communities in the North East, the UK is providing £300 million of humanitarian support over 5 years (2018 -2022).</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/01/2020 13:59:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1172748

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential damage to the environment as a result of the three crop rule leading farmers to cultivate drenched farmland and thereby damage soil structures.
tabling member printed	Lord Carrington
uin	HL679
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>Farmers have been experiencing difficulties with the recent prolonged wet weather and are concerned about their ability to meet Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst we have not carried out specific assessments of the environmental impact of cultivating waterlogged farmland following the wet weather experienced so far this winter, we encourage farmers to take all the necessary and reasonable steps to protect their soils. In some cases, we understand that this may result in difficulty meeting CAP rules, including the ‘three crop rule’. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has recently updated its GOV.UK online guidance on flooding and wet weather so that farmers are clear on the rules and possible alternative options that will allow them to remain compliant – including alternatives to the three crop rule. This was put together in direct response to customers’ and stakeholders’ questions and concerns.</p><p> </p><p>If they are in doubt, farmers should contact the RPA to discuss possible mitigation measures where farmers are unsure of the impact that flooding will have on their ability to comply with greening, or other CAP rules, including whether they should apply for <em>force majeure</em>.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with stakeholders, including farmers, where cases of <em>force majeure</em> are put forward. We are also exploring how best to provide flexibility and support farmers affected by the recent wet weather.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL680 HL681 question first answered 28/01/2020 14:47:19 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4712 label Biography information for Lord Carrington

1172749

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the weather conditions experienced by farmers this planting season, what plans they have to suspend the three crop rule.
tabling member printed	Lord Carrington
uin	HL680
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>Farmers have been experiencing difficulties with the recent prolonged wet weather and are concerned about their ability to meet Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst we have not carried out specific assessments of the environmental impact of cultivating waterlogged farmland following the wet weather experienced so far this winter, we encourage farmers to take all the necessary and reasonable steps to protect their soils. In some cases, we understand that this may result in difficulty meeting CAP rules, including the ‘three crop rule’. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has recently updated its GOV.UK online guidance on flooding and wet weather so that farmers are clear on the rules and possible alternative options that will allow them to remain compliant – including alternatives to the three crop rule. This was put together in direct response to customers’ and stakeholders’ questions and concerns.</p><p> </p><p>If they are in doubt, farmers should contact the RPA to discuss possible mitigation measures where farmers are unsure of the impact that flooding will have on their ability to comply with greening, or other CAP rules, including whether they should apply for <em>force majeure</em>.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with stakeholders, including farmers, where cases of <em>force majeure</em> are put forward. We are also exploring how best to provide flexibility and support farmers affected by the recent wet weather.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL679 HL681 question first answered 28/01/2020 14:47:19 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4712 label Biography information for Lord Carrington

1172750

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to accept early Force Majeure claims as a prevention mechanism to ensure that soil structure is not damaged as a result of farmers trying to adhere to the three crop rule.
tabling member printed	Lord Carrington
uin	HL681
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>Farmers have been experiencing difficulties with the recent prolonged wet weather and are concerned about their ability to meet Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst we have not carried out specific assessments of the environmental impact of cultivating waterlogged farmland following the wet weather experienced so far this winter, we encourage farmers to take all the necessary and reasonable steps to protect their soils. In some cases, we understand that this may result in difficulty meeting CAP rules, including the ‘three crop rule’. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has recently updated its GOV.UK online guidance on flooding and wet weather so that farmers are clear on the rules and possible alternative options that will allow them to remain compliant – including alternatives to the three crop rule. This was put together in direct response to customers’ and stakeholders’ questions and concerns.</p><p> </p><p>If they are in doubt, farmers should contact the RPA to discuss possible mitigation measures where farmers are unsure of the impact that flooding will have on their ability to comply with greening, or other CAP rules, including whether they should apply for <em>force majeure</em>.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with stakeholders, including farmers, where cases of <em>force majeure</em> are put forward. We are also exploring how best to provide flexibility and support farmers affected by the recent wet weather.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL679 HL680 question first answered 28/01/2020 14:47:19 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4712 label Biography information for Lord Carrington

1172760

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the (1) effectiveness, and (2) accuracy, of Energy Performance Certificates as applied to domestic dwellings.
tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
uin	HL691
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government launched a Call for Evidence on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in 2018, which covered questions of both EPC effectiveness and accuracy. We are conducting analysis of the responses and will publish a government response in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 28/01/2020 15:46:59 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
tabling member	3792 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Whitchurch