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1230953

registered interest
date	02/09/2020
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	Weedkillers: Health Hazards
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of (1) the impact of aminopyralid contamination in compost on gardeners and market gardeners, and (2) the adequacy of the Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Regulation Directorate enforcement of restrictions on the use of herbicide products containing aminopyralid.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7596
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2020 answer text <p>There are measures in place to keep aminopyralid out of compost and manures. This is necessary because, as a herbicide, aminopyralid can harm broadleaved plants, leading to stunting and distortion (it is important to note that similar effects can result from nutritional deficiencies or diseases). The use of aminopyralid products is subject to strict conditions of use to ensure that plant material which may contain aminopyralid is not used in compost. These conditions have been in place for over ten years and, as a result, the number of reported incidents has declined to a very low level.</p><p> </p><p>Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors and enforcement officers consider all reported cases of suspected aminopyralid contamination of compost. Decisions on possible compliance and enforcement action are taken on a case-by-case basis. In most cases it is not possible to establish whether or not residues of aminopyralid have damaged plants nor, if so, the source of the residues. HSE maintains close contact with the authorisation holder and continues to keep under review the effectiveness of measures put in place.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/09/2020 15:35:47 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1230954

registered interest
date	02/09/2020
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	Urban Areas: Chewing Gum
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the environmental, (2) the health, and (3) the visual, impacts of chewing gum being deposited in urban environments; and what steps they are taking to ensure that companies benefiting from its sale are contributing to the cleaning of such gum.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7597
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government has made no specific assessment of the environmental, health and visual impacts of chewing gum being deposited in urban environments.</p><p> </p><p>We believe that businesses should try to reduce the amount of litter their products generate. The Litter Strategy for England, published in 2017, sets out how we intend to work with the relevant industries to tackle certain types of particularly problematic litter, including chewing gum.</p><p> </p><p>Defra chairs the industry-funded Chewing Gum Action Group (CGAG), which brings together the main chewing gum producer, Keep Britain Tidy, local government, the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, the Food and Drink Federation and the devolved administrations. The aim of the CGAG is to find and implement sustainable solutions to stop the irresponsible disposal of chewing gum and focus on changing individual behaviour in the long term. The CGAG has run annual behaviour-change campaigns for over ten years. We remain open to exploring other means of securing contributions from the industry to tackle gum litter.</p><p> </p><p>Mars Wrigley Confectionery, a member of the CGAG, has produced a free to use gum littering toolkit. Local authorities, businesses, transport providers or any other organisation interested in reducing gum littering can access readymade campaigns for free. This toolkit was promoted as part of Defra’s ‘Respect the Outdoors’ campaign that was launched this summer. More information can be found at: <a href="https://tacklegumlittering.co.uk/" target="_blank">https://tacklegumlittering.co.uk/</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 16/09/2020 13:40:35 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1228271

registered interest
date	29/07/2020
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	Marks and Spencer: Labelling
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report National Food Strategy Part One, published in July, what assessment they have made of the remarks by Henry Dimbleby that the packaging of Marks and Spencer Percy Pigs makes "wilfully misleading" health claims.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7503
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/08/2020 answer text <p>I have noted Henry Dimbleby’s comments about M&amp;S’s use of the terms ‘with natural fruit juice’ and ‘no artificial colours or artificial flavourings’ on Percy Pigs. In terms of the application of the present EU law, it is the responsibility of local authority trading standards, who are responsible for enforcing food labelling, who consider the whole label when making a judgement as to whether or not it is misleading.</p><p>These statements do not constitute health claims as defined by current nutrition and health claims legislation. However, Mr Dimbleby’s comments used this product as an example of a wider issue where such claims may in some circumstances be viewed as confusing or misleading, in that they might present otherwise unhealthy food if not consumed according to recommended portion sizes with a degree of wholesomeness.</p><p>At the end of the Transition Period we will be able to determine how food on our shop shelves is labelled. We are committed to undertaking a wide ranging review of food labelling to ensure that consumers can continue to have confidence in the food they buy. We will ensure that in collaboration with DHSC the issues raised by Mr Dimbleby in his National Food Strategy are evaluated, along with the impact of potential policy options, as part of this labelling review.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 17/08/2020 11:43:21 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1226189

registered interest
date	20/07/2020
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	River Wharfe: Swimming
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to be able to respond to the application by river users and residents to turn part of the River Wharfe in Ilkley into a bathing water area; and by what process they are considering that application.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7019
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/08/2020 answer text <p>We received an application from the Ilkley Clean River Group in October 2019 for a stretch of the River Wharfe to be designated as a bathing water area. After reviewing further evidence, we are now preparing to proceed to a public consultation. Given the ongoing situation with Covid-19, we will schedule a date to begin the consultation as soon as it is appropriate to do so. This was confirmed by Minister Pow in a letter to the Ilkley Clean River Group on 13 May, following a meeting with Robbie Moore MP to discuss the application.</p><p> </p><p>We have considered the application in line with our usual process for applications for bathing water designation, the details of which are available on the GOV.UK website.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 03/08/2020 11:41:55 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1222166

registered interest
date	08/07/2020
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	Starlings: Pest Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many licences have been issued by Natural England for the killing of starlings in each year since 2000; and how many starlings they estimate have been killed under such licences in each year since 2000.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>Records show that Natural England (NE) has issued 122 licences for the control of starlings since 2007. Licence returns indicate that 2,918 birds have been killed during this period, although the actual number will be higher as not all licensees have submitted returns. We do not have earlier data since NE was vested in 2006.</p><p> </p><p>The following table presents the licensing information available for each year from 2007. To note, NE underwent a system change in 2013 meaning that return information for that year is not available.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Licences issued</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Numbers of starlings killed (Based on return data)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>13</p></td><td><p>190</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>14</p></td><td><p>456</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>12</p></td><td><p>393</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>12</p></td><td><p>417</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>17</p></td><td><p>739</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>No returns received</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>123</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>57</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>152</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>11</p></td><td><p>142</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>49</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>Information not yet available</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>Information not yet available</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 22/07/2020 13:39:47 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1221699

registered interest
date	07/07/2020
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	Rivers: Swimming
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce designated bathing waters in UK rivers.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>Defra welcomes applications for designation as bathing waters for both coastal and inland waters such as rivers. Local authorities, groups and individuals can apply for sites to be designated. Defra encourages this by writing to the Chief Executive of every local authority in England, as well as by sending similar letters to other stakeholders like swimming associations. It is these local authorities and stakeholders who will best know which popular riverside bathing areas may be suitable for designation.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 21/07/2020 13:22:29 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1221744

registered interest
date	07/07/2020
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	Recreation Spaces: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to inform and educate the public about their rights of access to land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in order to improve access to green spaces without overcrowding under COVID-19 distancing rules.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>Providing information about access on public rights of way and open access land is a role usually performed by local highway authorities, as local access is their responsibility.</p><p> </p><p>We are clear that everyone should follow the Countryside Code. A key part of Government strategy involves clear and consistent messaging to key stakeholders and the media. Our messaging seeks to promote better behaviour in the countryside and encourage a partnership response. Defra is working with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Park Authorities and other Government departments to promote a series of guidance videos to educate users about travelling to and spending time outdoors safely in the wider countryside. This includes an updated Countryside Code. This guidance is available at the following links:</p><p> </p><p>Green space access:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely</a></p><p> </p><p>The Countryside Code:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code</a></p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 21/07/2020 10:56:58 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1217769

registered interest
date	24/06/2020
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 what consideration they have given to increasing support for local food webs to improve food security.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6112
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK has a high degree of food security built on access to a range of sources including robust supply chains across a range of countries, in addition to strong domestic production. Strong domestic food production is only one part of our food security. We supplement our produce with fruits, vegetables and other products that are difficult to grow and rear here.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the value of local food chains as over half of the food that the UK population consumes is domestically produced. Defra works with a range of local companies and regional food groups to champion local food and highlight the qualities of British food products, such as meat, dairy, and vegetables, as well as fish caught in UK waters. We are proud of our great British food and drink, and the farmers and other producers who provide us all with a reliable and sustainable food supply, renowned for its quality and underpinned by high standards of food safety, traceability and animal welfare.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the important role played by community shops and the vital part they play in many rural communities in supporting vulnerable groups. Defra has been in contact with local authorities and volunteer groups to help prioritise those individuals to access essential food by, among other things, being able to contact smaller food retailers. We recognise and are very grateful for all the work that community shops have done in recent weeks, helping to ensure that people have the food they need.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has asked Henry Dimbleby to lead an Independent Review of the food chain, to develop recommendations to shape a National Food Strategy. It is the intention that this strategy should address major challenges including food security.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 08/07/2020 12:17:10 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1217772

registered interest
date	24/06/2020
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	Nature Conservation: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the proposals by community groups for the creation of a national nature service, what plans they have to fund the creation of such a service.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6115
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2020 answer text <p>Environmental organisations make a valuable contribution to the Government's environmental agenda. They do this through conservation of the natural environment; engaging people in the natural world; and providing access to our beautiful landscapes and coastlines.</p><p>As we rebuild our economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we must continue to shape an economy and society that are cleaner, greener and more resilient. This Government remains committed to being a world leader on tackling the environmental crises we face. Our recently launched £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund will support up to 2000 jobs and lead to the creation of up to 3000 more in environmental space.</p><p>We welcome the range of proposals that have been shared by groups including environmental organisations to deliver a green recovery. We are reviewing these based upon the best use of public funds.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 09/07/2020 11:25:31 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1205360

registered interest
date	18/06/2020
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	Peat
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the England Peat Strategy.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2020 answer text <p>In the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government committed to publishing an England Peat Strategy to create and deliver a new ambitious framework for peat restoration in England. It will set out a holistic plan for the management, protection and restoration of our upland and lowland peatlands so that they deliver benefits for climate and nature. We intend to publish the strategy later this year.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 02/07/2020 15:50:50 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle