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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

1171806

registered interest
date	20/01/2020
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 answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 17 July 2019 (HL Deb, col 232), what advice they received from the Regulatory Policy Committee concerning the costs and benefits of introducing a 10p plastic bag charge; and when they intend to publish their proposals on the introduction of a 10p plastic bag charge.
tabling member printed	Lord Hayward
uin	HL568
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>The Regulatory Policy Committee have scrutinised our impact assessment on the costs and benefits of extending the carrier bag charge to all retailers and increasing the minimum charge to 10p, assessing it as fit-for-purpose. The impact assessment will be published alongside the Government response to our consultation on these measures shortly.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 27/01/2020 17:31:19 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	863 label Biography information for Lord Hayward

1171539

registered interest
date	16/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Tree Planting
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many new trees have been planted in the UK in each of the last five years.
tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
uin	HL510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2020 answer text <p>The Forestry Commission produces statistics on new planting of woodland by area, but not by tree numbers, in the UK. These are Official Statistics produced to meet the standards of the Code of Practice for Statistics.</p><p> </p><p>Woodland area statistics can be found on the Forest Research web site together with background information at:</p><p><a href="https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/forestry-statistics/" target="_blank">https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/forestry-statistics/</a></p><p> </p><p>The area of new planting (woodland creation) for the UK in each of the last five years, taken from the published statistics (which are reported in hectares) is shown below.</p><p> </p><p>Woodland Area (thousands of hectares)</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year </strong> <strong>(ending 31 March3)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>New planting</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>UK</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>10.30</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>5.65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>6.51</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>9.09</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>13.40</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Source: Forestry Commission, Forestry England, Scottish Forestry, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales, Forest Service grant schemes.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 22/01/2020 13:51:30 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	3792 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

1171555

registered interest
date	16/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Lighting: Pollution
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 cost of wasted energy from light pollution; and what assessment they have made of the impact of light pollution on (1) health, (2) wildlife, and (3) astronomy.
tabling member printed	Lord Patten
uin	HL526
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>1. Public Health England carried out a study in 2016 for the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the Society of Light and Lighting, which included an assessment of light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights on health. The study concluded that some LED streetlight luminaires emitted more blue light than was necessary, but that there was no evidence of direct adverse health effects on people.</p><p> </p><p>2. Defra has published or contributed to a range of assessments of the impact of artificial light on insects and wider biodiversity, as well as global and national assessments of the drivers of biodiversity loss more generally.</p><p> </p><p>Following publication of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution’s report, ‘Artificial light in the environment’ in 2009, Defra has supported assessments of impacts of artificial light on insects and on other organisms such as bats. These are published on our science website. Defra has also funded or co-funded national and international assessments of drivers of change on insects and wider biodiversity such as the global IPBES Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production, which notes effects of light on nocturnal insects may be growing and identifies the need for further study.</p><p> </p><p>There have been a number of externally funded studies which have highlighted potential impacts of artificial light pollution on insects, which Defra keeps under review, for example, with our academic partners on the National Pollinator Strategy for England.</p><p> </p><p>3. Government officials have met with relevant stakeholders including the Commission for Dark Skies but have not made an assessment of the impact of light pollution on astronomy.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has not made an assessment specifically of the cost of wasted energy from light pollution. In respect of the Strategic Road network a full appraisal is carried out before any lighting project is commissioned, including in-depth analysis of the environmental impact and economic benefits of the scheme. All lighting on the network is designed according to current British and European standards which emphasise the importance of limiting light pollution, and older forms of lantern are in the process of being replaced with environmentally sensitive lighting when they become due for renewal.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 27/01/2020 17:34:30 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1171558

registered interest
date	16/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Tree Planting: Urban Areas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 7 January (HL64), how many trees they intend to plant in towns and cities between 2020 and 2025.
tabling member printed	Lord Patten
uin	HL529
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2020 answer text <p>This Government recognises the vital role trees play in delivering social, environmental and economic benefits in and around our towns and cities. They help clean and cool the air, prevent flood risk, and support our physical and mental health.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to increasing tree planting across the UK throughout this parliament to 30,000 hectares per year by 2025. We have not set a specific target for the number of urban trees which will be planted, but have announced a Nature for Climate Fund which will support planting in rural and urban areas.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently planting through the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, which supports planting of at least 20,000 large trees and 110,000 small trees in urban areas in England. We are also introducing a new duty on local authorities to consult local communities when considering felling street trees.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 23/01/2020 16:59:38 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1171188

registered interest
date	15/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they promote and develop (1) food security, and (2) self-sufficiency, in the production of UK food.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL459
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2020 answer text <p>Our landmark Agriculture Bill sets out a clear path for future policy to support farming and the environment which includes commitments to regularly review our food security.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the Bill, we are including a new requirement for the UK Government to regularly report on food security to Parliament, demonstrating the importance we place on this subject. The report will contain information on the role of strong domestic production alongside diverse sources of supply. It will encompass a range of current issues relevant to food security including global food availability; supply of food sources; the resilience of the supply chain for food; household expenditure on food; food safety and consumer confidence in food.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a high degree of food security, built on access to a range of different sources including strong domestic production and imports from other countries, demonstrated by the UK's current production to supply ratio of 75% for indigenous-type foods and 60% for all foods</p><p> </p><p>The National Food Strategy will cover the entire food chain from field to fork, building on work already underway in Defra.</p><p> </p><p>It will address the challenges of supporting people to eat healthy diets, producing food sustainably and protecting national food security, whilst also looking at related issues such as food price and trade.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 21/01/2020 13:10:42 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1170817

registered interest
date	14/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Lighting: Pollution
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 levels of light pollution in the UK; whether light pollution in the UK is decreasing; and if so, at what rate.
tabling member printed	Lord Patten
uin	HL411
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>A range of measures are in place to ensure that light pollution is effectively managed through controls in the planning system, the statutory nuisance regime and improvements in street lighting.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has not made a recent assessment of overall levels of light pollution in the UK or of whether these are decreasing.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 27/01/2020 17:29:47 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1170174

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
hansard heading	Tree Planting
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many trees have been planted in (1) England, (2) Scotland, and (3) Wales, in each of the last three years; and what were the respective acreages of (a) replanting of existing woodlands, and (b) new afforestation.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL321
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2020 answer text <p>The Forestry Commission produces statistics on woodland planting and restocking by area, but not by tree numbers, in the UK. These are Official Statistics produced to meet the standards of the Code of Practice for Statistics.</p><p> </p><p>Woodland area statistics can be found on the Forest Research website together with background information at: <a href="https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/forestry-statistics/" target="_blank">https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/forestry-statistics/</a></p><p> </p><p>The area of new planting (woodland creation) and publicly funded restocking for each country in each of the last three years, taken from the published statistics, which report in hectares, is shown below.</p><p> </p><p>Woodland Area (thousands of hectares)</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year (ending 31/3)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>New planting</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Restocking</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>England</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>1.15</p></td><td><p>3.00</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>1.50</p></td><td><p>2.04</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>1.42</p></td><td><p>1.65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Wales</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>0.40</p></td><td><p>1.67</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>0.24</p></td><td><p>1.71</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>0.52</p></td><td><p>1.44</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Scotland</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>4.76</p></td><td><p>11.07</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>7.14</p></td><td><p>9.66</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>11.21</p></td><td><p>11.19</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Note: Publicly funded restocking is defined in the statistics as restocking of Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales Forest Service Woodlands and grant aided restocking of private sector woodland. This means that the level of restocking is under-reported in these statistics.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 21/01/2020 13:09:39 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton