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747994

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the benefits and costs to the UK of membership of the European Environment Agency.
tabling member printed	Lord Lester of Herne Hill
uin	HL448
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>Within the European Environment Agency budget[1] it is not possible to identify the membership cost for any individual EU Member State. The European Environment Agency undergoes regular independently-conducted evaluations[2] and the UK Government is fully engaged with the evaluation currently in progress[3]. When published in 2018, this evaluation will enhance our understanding of the benefits of European Environment Agency membership.</p><p> </p><p>In common with other EU agencies, as part of exit negotiations the Government will discuss with the EU (and European Environment Agency Member Countries) any potential future relationship with the European Environment Agency.</p><p> </p><p>[1] https://www.eea.europa.eu/about-us/documents/eea-budgets/budget-of-the-eea-2017</p><p>[2] https://www.eea.europa.eu/about-us/governance/eea-evaluations/eea-evaluation-2013</p><p>[3] http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/roadmaps/docs/2018_env_002_eea_evaluation_en.pdf</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 18/07/2017 16:52:41 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	2037 label Biography information for Lord Lester of Herne Hill

748015

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the findings of Professor Tyler of Exeter University relating to transgender fish in rivers affected by residues of contraceptive pills, what action they intend to take to avoid health risks to humans.
tabling member printed	Lord Tebbit
uin	HL469
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2017 answer text <p>The class of substances known as Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) which include oestrogens found in contraceptive pills are a hazard to some wildlife. While it is correct that EDCs are a recognised environmental issue, which continues to be researched with a view to the protection of wildlife, EDCs do not pose a threat to drinking water supplies as drinking water treatment facilities will remove oestrogens, if they were to occur in river water.</p><p>The Environment Agency is currently commissioning work to survey the incidence and severity of intersex in wild fish in a number of rivers that were surveyed 15 years ago, to assess how the situation may have changed.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 17/07/2017 12:43:04 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	952 label Biography information for Lord Tebbit

748127

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Navy: Fisheries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many 24-hour days or equivalent fisheries protection vessels were at sea and operational in home waters in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh North and Leith
tabling member printed	Deidre Brock
uin	2739
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2017 answer text <p>We are unable to confirm the position at a UK level as fisheries protection is a devolved matter. However, the table below shows the number of days vessels were operational for the purposes of fisheries enforcement in England, since 2007.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Days</p></td><td><p>Type</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 07/08</p></td><td><p>740</p></td><td><p>24 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 08/09</p></td><td><p>753</p></td><td><p>24 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 09/10</p></td><td><p>705</p></td><td><p>24 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 10/11</p></td><td><p>675</p></td><td><p>24 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 11/12</p></td><td><p>659</p></td><td><p>24 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 12/13</p></td><td><p>562</p></td><td><p>12 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 13/14</p></td><td><p>512.5</p></td><td><p>12 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 14/15</p></td><td><p>509</p></td><td><p>9 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 15/16</p></td><td><p>419</p></td><td><p>9 hrs/day</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>FY 16/17</p></td><td><p>168.7</p></td><td><p>4048.3 total hrs patrol time</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>In April 2016 we changed from an existing agreement for fixed 9 hour days to a much more flexible hourly agreement for Royal Navy patrol time. This reflects the move towards a risk based, intelligence led operational model that enables targeted enforcement interventions in the right place at the right time.</p><p> </p><p>There has also been a proactive move towards utilising satellite technology in fisheries enforcement. For example, all vessels over 12 metres in length are fitted with satellite tracking devices (Vessel Monitoring System) which gives a 24/7 real time picture of where fishing activity is happening enabling the efficient employment of patrol vessels. The AIS (Automatic Identification System) is also used in fisheries enforcement to detect fishing activity, including where fishing vessels are operating. When supplemented by joint working with other agencies such as Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), UK Border Force (UKBF) and the Police, this ensures effective and timely intervention where illegal activity is suspected. Radar sweeps can be used by patrol vessels to identify potential targets and the AIS (Automatic Identification System) is also used in fisheries enforcement to detect fishing activity, including where fishing vessels are operating.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 17/07/2017 16:09:47 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	4417 label Biography information for Deidre Brock

748148

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Diesel Engines: Pollution Control
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 the Government has to implement a targeted diesel scrappage scheme to tackle air pollution.
tabling member constituency	Hazel Grove
tabling member printed	Mr William Wragg
uin	2880
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2017 answer text <p>In May, the Government published a consultation on the draft UK air quality plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide. Through this consultation, the Government wants to explore how best to support local authorities to mitigate the impacts of certain measures on local businesses, residents and those travelling into towns and cities to work. A range of potential mitigation measures were identified in the consultation, including the introduction of a car scrappage scheme.</p><p> </p><p>We are considering responses to the consultation and the final plan is due to be published by 31 July.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 10/07/2017 13:54:01 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4429 label Biography information for Mr William Wragg

748149

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Beaches and Rivers: Litter and Sewage
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 UK's rivers and beaches are not polluted by sewage or litter.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	2876
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government published the first Litter Strategy for England on 10 April, setting out our aim to clean up the country, including rivers and beaches.</p><p> </p><p>Our strategy is to apply best practice in education, enforcement and infrastructure to deliver a substantial reduction in litter and littering behaviour within a generation. The common aim of all the actions in the Litter Strategy is to change the behaviour of those who currently feel that it is acceptable to drop litter. By reducing the amount of litter dropped, and improving cleaning, we will also reduce the litter reaching our rivers and beaches.</p><p> </p><p>Pollution caused by sewage is controlled by discharge permits issued by the Environment Agency (EA) which must meet the requirements of various environmental regulations including the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations and Bathing Water Regulations. In England, between 2015 and 2020 water companies are investing over £2 billion to improve their sewerage infrastructure, guided by the requirements of the EA. This includes investment to improve sewage treatment works and collecting systems with the aim of reducing the polluting impact of sewage discharges on beaches and rivers. The results to date are that bathing waters are at their highest ever quality, thousands of miles of rivers have been improved and the number of pollution incidents greatly reduced.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 12/07/2017 10:38:28 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

748150

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Environment Protection
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 the Government plans for the UK's environmental standards to remain as rigorous as those set by the EU after the UK has left the EU.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	2877
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2017 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has been clear that we need to maintain and where possible enhance environmental outcomes both now and after we leave the EU.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 17/07/2017 16:14:50 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

748151

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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: Disclosure of Information
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many protected disclosures were made by staff in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; how many such disclosures were found to be valid; how many staff alleged detriment as a result of making such a disclosure; and how many staff who (a) made such a disclosure and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure subsequently left the employment of the Department.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	2831
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The number of protected disclosures made by staff within Defra core department over the last 3 years is nil.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 11/07/2017 16:36:35 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

748152

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Environment
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 a common UK environmental framework when the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	2842
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2017 answer text <p>Defra is working closely with the devolved administrations, sharing factual information and establishing views and priorities to get the best possible deal for all parts of our United Kingdom as we leave the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government will work carefully to ensure that, as powers are repatriated from the EU framework, the appropriate powers are retained in Westminster and the appropriate powers are passed to the devolved administrations. In doing this, we will maintain the necessary common standards and frameworks for our own domestic market and empower the UK as an open, trading nation to strike the best trade deals around the world.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 12/07/2017 11:15:37 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

748153

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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: Waste Disposal
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 reduce and prevent plastic waste in the countryside.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	2667
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government has taken action to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling, including:</p><ul><li><p>The UK Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations, which cover silage wrap and other plastic packaging found on farms, require obligated producers of packaging to ensure that a proportion of the packaging they handle is recovered and recycled. These regulations have resulted in a significant increase in recycling over the last decade, with recycling of packaging rising from around 46% in 2005 to 60% in 2015.</p></li><li><p>The Government introduced a 5p charge on single-use plastic carrier bags from 5 October 2015. So far the 5p charge has been effective in decreasing the distribution of plastic bags, contributing to a reduction in the number of plastic bags found in the open environment. The latest figures are due to be published by 31<sup>st</sup> July.</p><p> </p><p>The Government also published the first Litter Strategy for England on 10 April, setting out our intention to apply best practice in education, enforcement and infrastructure to deliver a substantial reduction in litter and littering behaviour within a generation. The common aim of all the actions in the Litter Strategy is to change the behaviour of those who currently feel that it is acceptable to drop any kind of litter, whether they are in an urban or rural environment. The Strategy can be found online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/litter-strategy-for-england" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/litter-strategy-for-england</a></p></li></ul> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 11/07/2017 14:51:56 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

748154

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
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	Air Pollution: Northern Ireland
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 the Northern Ireland Assembly on air pollution.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	2670
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Since his appointment, the Secretary of State has not discussed air quality with the Northern Ireland Assembly, which is not currently sitting. Defra officials are in regular contact with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in relation to the development of the UK air quality plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 11/07/2017 15:02:02 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon