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1305131

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
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	Horses: Animal Welfare
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 ensure that tethered horses are given freedom to exercise off the tether for a reasonable period at least once a day.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174092
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information. The Code states that tethered horses require daily exercise and that tethering is not a suitable method of long-term management of an animal but may be useful as an exceptional short-term method of animal management.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media e.g. National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 31/03/2021 13:48:14 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1305132

registered interest
date	23/03/2021
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	Horses: Animal Welfare
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 takes to ensure that tethered horses are inspected regularly by their owners.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	174093
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals.</p><p> </p><p>The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information. The Code states that when horses are tethered, the need for regular supervision is paramount and that tethered horses should be inspected no less frequently than every six hours during waking normal hours.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act (including failing to tether a horse appropriately and ensuring that it’s welfare needs are met), it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>The equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media e.g. National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 31/03/2021 13:44:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285634

registered interest
date	10/02/2021
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	Animal Welfare: Officers
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 has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require local authorities to employ an Animal Welfare Officer.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	152496
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>Local authorities are responsible for enforcing certain animal related activities which are licensed, such as pet selling, dog breeding and selling, animal boarding, riding schools and the exhibiting of animals. Therefore, every local authority at district level will have access to officers who enforce animal welfare standards. Local authorities have powers, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, to investigate allegations of animal cruelty or poor welfare. Local authorities must be allowed to decide how to enforce the 2006 Act based upon local priorities and resources.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/02/2021 14:22:24 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285636

registered interest
date	10/02/2021
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	Animal Welfare
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 his Department will bring forward legislative proposals on preventing people from keeping an animal in the event that a tether is their only method of keeping that animal.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	152497
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare including if such an offence is caused by the inappropriate way it is tethered. The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary suffering or failing to provide for an animal's welfare is six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. However, the Government is committed to increasing the maximum custodial penalty for causing unnecessary suffering from six months to five years. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, currently before Parliament, will implement this increase. The Government will support the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. In addition, the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on how to tether their horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings. DEFRA keeps all such legislation under review to ensure existing laws provide for situations where people cause their animals unnecessary suffering, including through inappropriate tethering.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 26/02/2021 16:21:01 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1285218

registered interest
date	09/02/2021
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	Horses: Animal Welfare
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 stop horse tethering in dangerous locations.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	151677
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2021 answer text <p>This country leads the way in animal welfare, including setting standards for horse welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all owners and keepers of horses must provide for the welfare needs of their animals. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids provides owners and keepers with general welfare information, including a specific section on the correct choice of site to tether a horse. Whilst it is not an offence to breach the Code, if proceedings are brought against someone for a welfare offence under the 2006 Act, (including failing to tether a horse appropriately) it could be used as evidence in support of those proceedings. In addition, the equine welfare sector promotes good welfare practice through their respective websites and via social media e.g. National Equine Welfare Council’s compendium: <a href="http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/" target="_blank">http://www.newc.co.uk/advice/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 17/02/2021 15:02:39 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243637

registered interest
date	15/10/2020
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
hansard heading	Horses: Animal Welfare
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps his Department is taking to reduce the practice of horse tethering.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	907600
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2020 answer text <p>People who tether their horses inappropriately risk causing their animals distress and suffering and could be liable to prosecution for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and their Hybrids provides keepers with information on how and when tethering may be used. We remain committed to tackling the issue of inappropriate horse tethering through effective partnership working, enforcement and dissemination of best practice.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 15/10/2020 17:04:34 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1235561

registered interest
date	17/09/2020
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
hansard heading	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Apprentices
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 his Department is making on meeting the 2.3 per cent public sector apprenticeship target; and when his Department will meet that target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	91621
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2020 answer text <p>As of 31 March 2020, the Civil Service has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021. Defra had achieved 1% of the total staff employed within the department.</p><p> </p><p>In Defra group, we have taken the following steps towards the public sector apprenticeship target.</p><p> </p><p>We have reactivated our ‘Early Talent’ Strategy for 2020/21 to focus on:</p><ul><li>increasing the use of apprenticeships within external recruitment;</li><li>promoting the use of apprenticeships to support development of existing staff;</li><li>increasing and maximising the use of the levy; and</li><li>using targeted apprenticeship recruitment to improve the diversity of our workforce.</li><li> </li></ul><p>We have identified a number of levers that can be used to achieve the above and these are actively being discussed within the business. We continue to enhance the information and tools available to line managers to improve understanding.</p><p> </p><p>While there are a number of standards that we can actively use, given the unique nature and breadth of our activities in Defra group, we continue to explore and invest in trailblazer activity.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has been focused on delivery against EU exit requirements and more recently COVID-19. Defra remains committed to the Civil Service Apprenticeship Strategy and is looking to increase our use of apprenticeships across Defra group over the next 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>Given this target is a percentage of the total workforce, the percentage changes in line with workforce fluctuations over time, therefore making it challenging to predict when a department will meet the target. The data for 2018/19 can be found on the GOV.UK website at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-apprenticeship-data-2018-to-2019</a>. The data for 2019/20 will be released on GOV.UK by the end of September 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Departments are committed to increasing the number of apprentices across the Civil Service and continue to work towards the 2.3% target. The impact of the current pandemic has slowed recruitment due to priority work and logistics. With the current strategy and targets coming to an end in April 2021, the Civil Service is already focusing on how to continue to support the apprenticeship agenda and drive forward apprenticeship recruitment, pulling on the Plan for Jobs initiative and considering the current economic situation.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/09/2020 11:12:23 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1224995

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
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
hansard heading	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Apprentices
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 reach the public sector apprenticeship target.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	74515
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2020 answer text <p>In Defra group, we have taken the following steps towards the public sector apprenticeship target.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has recently reactivated its ‘Early Talent’ Strategy for 2020/21 and is intending to increase our activities around the following four themes:</p><p> </p><p>a) Increasing the use of apprenticeships within external recruitment</p><p>b) Promoting the use of apprenticeships to support development of existing staff</p><p>c) Increasing and maximising the use of the levy</p><p>d) Using targeted apprenticeship recruitment to improve the diversity of our workforce</p><p> </p><p>We have identified a number of levers that can be used to achieve the above and these are actively being discussed within the business, for example by: building an apprenticeship option into all new external recruitment activity; identifying executive sponsors; establishing a robust approach to learning and development; the creation of apprenticeship networks; and seeking to convert other early talent pipelines such as internships into apprenticeships.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to enhance the information and tools available to line managers to improve understanding. For example, within recruitment processes we have introduced the use of Interactive Candidate Packs, appropriate selection processes such as Success Profiles, online advertising, case studies and trained selection panels.</p><p> </p><p>While there are a number of standards that we can actively use, given the unique nature and breadth of our activities in Defra group, we continue to explore and invest in trailblazer activity.</p><p> </p><p>Defra group has been focused on delivery against EU exit requirements and more recently COVID-19. Defra remains committed to the Civil Service Apprenticeship Strategy and is looking to increase our use of apprenticeships across Defra group over the next 12 months.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/11/2020 16:08:02 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1192568

registered interest
date	04/05/2020
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
hansard heading	Animal Grooming: Coronavirus
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 he has had with Cabinet colleagues on re-opening dog grooming parlours to ensure the welfare of animals during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	42989
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government's message to the public is clear: stay alert, control the virus and save lives. Dog grooming businesses play a key role in ensuring the welfare of the nation's pets and have been allowed to operate since advice to businesses was first published, within the strict advice on social distancing and hygiene.</p><p> </p><p>The Canine and Feline Sector Group, which advises both the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England and Defra Ministers, has issued its own guidance to pet businesses, including dog groomers, on how they can continue to operate under current restrictions and in line with guidance around social distancing and hygiene: <a href="http://www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/CFSG%20Animal%20Business%20Guidance%2007.04.20.pdf" target="_blank">www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/CFSG%20Animal%20Business%20Guidance%2007.04.20.pdf</a>.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/05/2020 17:08:03 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1188584

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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
hansard heading	Agriculture: Coronavirus
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 he has to ensure that the seasonal demand for fruit pickers will be met during the covid-19 outbreak; and what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on how those positions can be filled.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	37597
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak have meant that there will be a shortfall in the numbers of workers who usually travel to the UK from Europe to work during the harvest season, with the demand for workers peaking from late May through the summer.</p><p>Farming leaders have already kick-started a recruitment drive for work on farms, with thousands of British people already expressing an interest in picking up seasonal agricultural work over the coming weeks and months. With many British workers furloughed from their jobs, and students having to put their summer plans on hold, the Government is supporting industry efforts to help farmers bring in this year’s harvest, working to build on these numbers.</p><p>The majority of roles for the early part of the harvest season have already been filled. We are closely monitoring the situation and we will shortly be launching a public- facing campaign to highlight the roles available from late May onwards and to encourage people to apply. The Government has confirmed that those who have been furloughed from their jobs due to coronavirus, and who are contractually allowed to work for another employer, can take on this seasonal work.</p><p>A new Government-industry digital hub for seasonal work information and job opportunities has been launched to provide guidance on getting into farm work and links to the available jobs and recruiters. The website can be found at pickforbritain.org.uk and will be updated regularly over the coming weeks to help match jobs to workers as the demand grows.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 28/04/2020 16:50:41 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon