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1522038

registered interest
date	13/10/2022
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	Water: Ciprofloxacin
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the environmental concentration data collected in England and Wales 2015–2018 (Hayes & Murray et al., 2022) which suggests that the antibiotic ciprofloxacin poses a significant antimicrobial selection risk, whether they have considered its exclusion from the Water Framework Directive’s Watch List and its place in the UK’s monitoring procedures.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2578
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Ciprofloxacin has been continuously monitored on the Water Framework Directive Watch List for 4 years. Its removal is being considered as the Directive specifically states that no Watch List substances should be continuously monitored for more than 4 years.</p><p>Ciprofloxacin is currently routinely monitored in England. Ciprofloxacin has been nominated and will be reviewed under the Environment Agency's chemical prioritisation and early warning system. This system allows the Environment Agency to consider the potential risks of emerging chemicals, including to surface waters (both freshwater and saline waters), groundwater, and soils. The system allows the Environment Agency to sift and to screen any chemical substance nominated using, where available, hazard data and environmental monitoring data to prioritise whether a substance may be a possible chemical of concern in England.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/10/2022 12:18:07 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1522041

registered interest
date	13/10/2022
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	Grafton Equine and Pet Cremation: Badgers
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 research undertaken by Keep the Ban regarding the handling of culled badgers at the Grafton Pet Crematorium; and what assessment they have made of the (1) human, and (2) animal, health risks as a consequence of the way handling was approached.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2581
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Based only on the heavily edited short video clips obtained by trespassing at the Grafton Pet Crematorium premises, it is not possible for the Animal and Plant Health Agency to make a full and proper assessment of activities, or whether there were any breaches of regulations that protect human and animal health at premises which handle Animal By-Products. It will only be possible to make such assessments when Animal &amp; Plant Health Agency is able to conduct an inspection and consider all the evidence at the premises.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/10/2022 10:54:25 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1521530

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
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	Grouse Moors: Controlled Burning
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what measurements they plan to make of the air pollution and consequent health impacts of heather burning for grouse shooting on adjoining communities during the October 1 to April 15 season; and what steps they have taken to ensure that the law against burning on deep peat is complied with, including the compilation of maps to indicate areas that should not be burnt.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2512
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Defra does not plan to assess the impacts of heather burning on air quality. Monitoring networks measure air quality across the country on an ongoing basis, and measurements are made available on our <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/" target="_blank">UK-AIR website</a> (https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/). This service provides specific health advice based on the level of pollution.</p><p> </p><p>The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 and associated guidance sets out the very limited circumstances where burning of vegetation will be seen as a permissible activity, when conducted in the right place for the right reasons.</p><p> </p><p>An England Peat Map is being created which, when complete, will help managers understand the distribution of peat. The map will be available in 2024 and detail the extent, location and condition of peat in England, including peat depth. The map will be produced from a mix of existing peat data (including data shared by stakeholders), new field survey data, and through use of remote sensing and earth observation modelling techniques.</p><p> </p><p>Burning occurs at small scale and peat depth also varies at small scale. This makes it difficult to produce maps that are definitive and any maps available are best considered indicative. Land managers are therefore encouraged to test peat depth in locations where burning is proposed.</p><p> </p><p>If anyone believes an illegal burn has taken place they can report it directly to Natural England’s Enforcement Team, who check the locations against records of protected sites and environmental data and carry out investigatory site visits as required. Any unlicenced burning of vegetation on sites to which the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) 2021 applies, will be investigated.</p><p> </p><p>It would be inappropriate to comment in respect of current investigations.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/10/2022 10:51:56 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1521532

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
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: Pollution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to reduce plastic pollution following the discovery of microplastics in human breast milk.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2514
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Government is taking decisive action to reduce plastic pollution. We have introduced one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and brought in measures to restrict the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in October 2020. The use of single-use carrier bags has been reduced in the main supermarkets by over 97% with our five, now ten, pence charge.</p><p>As set out in the 2022-2023 UK REACH Work Programme available on GOV.UK, we are reviewing intentionally added microplastics and the risks they pose to human health and the environment. The results will help to inform the Government's approach to managing any risks whether through UK REACH or other routes.</p><p>The recent study that has found microplastic particles in breast milk indicates the potential for low human neonate exposure via breast milk (and the exposure of the mother). However, the small sample size in these studies mean that these results need to be taken as indicative and highlight the need for further research in this area.</p><p>In 2021, the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) published an overarching statement on potential risks from exposure to microplastics ( <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcot.food.gov.uk%2FM-statementsandpositionpapers%23microplastics&amp;data=05%7C01%7CMaria.Alemao%40defra.gov.uk%7Cb4b3da3967f744c61f2f08dab821640d%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638024750789679907%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=n4OOhar%2FgGNLbQ6yHDNWdcqgBClUIcl8gXS668Vwx3o%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://cot.food.gov.uk/M-statementsandpositionpapers#microplastics(opens in a new tab)</a>). A copy is attached to this answer. The COT made a number of proposals for research priorities to aid risk assessment of microplastics, and concluded that &quot;based on the available data, it is not yet possible to perform a complete assessment for the potential risks from exposure to micro and nanoplastics via the oral and inhalation routes&quot;.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 08/11/2022 16:33:45 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name COT Microplastics Overarching Statement 2021_final_0.pdf title COT Microplastics Overarching Statement 2021
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1518479

registered interest
date	26/09/2022
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	Poultry: Animal Welfare
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what progress the Animal and Plant Health Agency has made in its investigation into the deaths of millions of factory farm chickens during heatwaves in summer 2022; when the results of the investigation are expected to be published; and what plans they have to prevent future such events.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2321
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2022 answer text <p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency is supporting local authorities in investigating what took place on individual poultry units. Ongoing investigations are confidential as any information released may prejudice any potential legal action in the future.</p><p>HM Government takes breaches of animal welfare legislation very seriously. Prior to and during this summer's heatwaves, we reiterated advice to livestock keepers to ensure their contingency plans took full account of the need to protect health and welfare during hot weather. We are very concerned about the significant mortalities in broiler chickens that occurred. We are discussing what happened with the poultry sector and looking carefully at what measures could be put in place in future to help prevent a recurrence of mass mortalities and improve broiler chicken welfare.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 10/10/2022 16:36:16 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1518481

registered interest
date	26/09/2022
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	Marine Environment: North of England
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 22 February (HL6071), what further information they have gathered in relation to ecological problems off the coasts of Yorkshire and North-East England; and what plans they have for further studies and actions relating to any such problems.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2323
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2022 answer text <p>We are aware there have been some localised reductions in catch rates and we are continuing to monitor shellfish populations in the area. This is a complex scientific issue, which is why we took a thorough, evidence-based approach. We will continue to work with academic researchers.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 10/10/2022 16:35:34 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1518526

registered interest
date	26/09/2022
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	Anaerobic Digestion: Drug Resistance
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 risk of anaerobic digestion facilities increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2325
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2022 answer text <p>HM Government has not conducted specific research into the risks of anaerobic digestion facilities increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance, but it does consider that anaerobic digestion is an effective method for the disposal of animal by-products as the process destroys bacteria and is considered to be the best approach for reducing spread of bacteria to the environment. Guidance on the handling of manure and slurry to reduce antibiotic resistance can be found at <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fhandling-of-manure-and-slurry-to-reduce-antibiotic-resistance&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C3f782bd990fe48fbbd4b08daaad941b3%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638010147333206588%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uKlkVpil6hONji3GDHnIc0wwFq%2Bp4%2Bi8t9ENWmzt9wc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Handling of manure and slurry to reduce antibiotic resistance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 10/10/2022 16:36:46 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1518527

registered interest
date	26/09/2022
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	Cosmetics
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 environmental impact of production and release of (1) petrochemical, and (2) mineral UV-filters, currently approved as active ingredients in cosmetics.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2326
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2022 answer text <p>(1) The Environment Agency (EA) cannot assess the impact on the environment from petrochemical ingredients in cosmetics. Petrochemicals are used in a large range of manufacturing processes and the EA cannot, with confidence, trace petrochemicals in the environment specifically back to the widespread use of cosmetics.</p><p> </p><p>(2) The EA Chemical Assessment Unit published a review of organic UV filters in cosmetics prior to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations coming into force (<a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F291007%2Fscho1008bpay-e-e.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7CMatt.Womersley%40environment-agency.gov.uk%7Cb317fb6028fb482aaf1008daa0982a56%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C637998873520894768%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kmZ5qJPU49MG52xtNXPJmILrAtiHN%2B8wqZmYCLn9JFE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a> and copy attached). They have a project this year to update it, which will complete by March 2023.</p><p> </p><p>The EA has developed a Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS) for chemicals of emerging concern to ensure consideration of the potential risks of emerging chemicals including to surface waters (both freshwater and saline waters), groundwater and soils. The system allows the EA to sift and to screen any chemical substance nominated using, where available, hazard data and environmental monitoring data to prioritise whether a substance may be a possible chemical of concern in England.</p><p> </p><p>The EA has considered some mineral UV-filters as part of PEWS: zinc oxide in its nanoform; and titanium dioxide in its nanoform. However, both substances have a much broader range of uses beyond cosmetics, so it is not possible to isolate the impact of release from cosmetic use alone. Both substances flagged as low risk in PEWS, but the EA stresses it has low certainty over this outcome, due to a lack of available data.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 10/10/2022 16:35:14 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name UV filters review EA.pdf title UV filters review - Environment Agency
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1489774

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
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	Avian Influenza: Disease Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase monitoring of wild bird populations in light of the influx of H5N1 avian flu infections; and what steps they are taking to protect (1) vulnerable, and (2) threatened, populations.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2022 answer text <p>Defra is working with Devolved Administrations, Arm’s Length Bodies and NGOs to monitor and respond to the effect of avian influenza on wild birds. This includes providing advice on mitigation measures that can be put in place to both protect public health and the impact on wild birds where possible. However, avian influenza is a natural transmission process in wild birds and there is limited evidence that mitigation measures are effective at reducing transmission of avian influenza between wild birds.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to the existing avian influenza biosecurity stakeholder meetings that have been running since 2020 and have included ornithological NGO participation, Defra will convene a stakeholder working group to consider additional actions that can be taken to support the recovery of wild bird populations that have been significantly impacted by the disease. Defra is also engaging with OSPAR Heads of Delegation to share best practice, mitigation measures and lessons learnt from current and previous outbreaks.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) operates a robust programme of wild bird surveillance across Great Britain and engages in year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols. Between 25 October 2021 and 8 July 2022, over 3,000 wild birds have been tested. Of these, 1422 have tested positive for H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). There have been findings in 343 different locations in 61 different species in 78 different counties. A report (updated weekly) of findings of HPAI in wild birds is published on GOV.UK together with <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Favian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe&amp;data=05%7C01%7CRichard.Pullen%40defra.gov.uk%7C481955d105ad4ae6bea208da6f110dfc%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C637944416295240616%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=z%2FrMkDnNu9VQaH17PVjfy1X52a2QbrL%2BnnRFpLPgV8Q%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">outbreak and risk assessments</a>. A copy of the 18 July assessment is attached to this answer.</p><p> </p><p>Last month a new consortium was launched, led by Defra and APHA, to fund research to look into how avian influenza viruses are emerging in wild populations and help us understand the risk posed to both domestic and wild birds.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, Defra has commissioned Natural England to assess the vulnerability of seabird species in light of the pressures they are facing, including avian influenza, and propose actions to address them.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 28/07/2022 13:37:00 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name Updated Outbreak Assessment #30 HPAI in the UK and Europe 18 July 2022.pdf title HPAI outbreak assessment 18 July 2022
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1487764

registered interest
date	11/07/2022
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 Data Transparency Partnership
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for the (1) work, and (2) membership, of the Food Data Transparency Panel; and whether they will invite the Consortium for Labelling for the Environment, Animal Welfare and Regenerative Farming (CLEAR) to join that panel.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1621
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2022 answer text <p>To drive positive change through better information, transparency, and accountability, we are launching a transformational Food Data Transparency Partnership. The partnership will provide consumers with the information they need to make more sustainable, ethical, and healthier food choices and incentivise industry to produce healthier and more ethical and sustainable food.</p><p> </p><p>Improving food system data and information is a shared challenge. The partnership will provide a framework to bring together the UK government, including the Department for Health and Social Care, Defra and the Food Standards Agency, Devolved Administrations and representatives from across the whole food supply chain and civil society.</p><p> </p><p>We want to design stakeholders, including industry and civil society, into the fabric of how the programme is run and into how its outputs are developed. The governance structure and process for involvement is being developed and will be announced in the coming months.</p><p> </p><p>Initially, the partnership will develop consistent and defined metrics to measure the health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare impacts of food. By the end of 2023, in England, we will streamline reporting requirements relating to the production and sale of food and drink. We will consult on implementing mandatory public reporting against a set of health metrics and explore a similar approach to sustainability and animal welfare. We will fully consult on any mandatory measures before they are introduced.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 21/07/2022 15:24:02 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle