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1602548

registered interest
date	08/03/2023
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	Fluorinated Gases: Regulation
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 progress in the implementation of the F-gas regulations, particularly with regard to the greenhouse gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and reducing its carbon footprint in electricity transmission, distribution, and hydronic heat pump equipment; what plans they have to amend the F-gas Regulations 2014 ((EU) No 517/2014); and how they intend to ensure that expansion of the electricity grid does not increase carbon emissions through increased use of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6230
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2023 answer text <p>A review of the F-gas Regulation is underway. Defra published an <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessment-of-the-f-gas-regulation-in-great-britain" target="_blank">Assessment Report</a> in December 2022 that assesses the Regulation against its objectives to reduce F-gas use and emissions. Defra are now identifying options for change, with a focus on additional measures to help the UK meet Net Zero. Development of any proposals will account for factors such as the expansion of the power grid as regards SF6 use and the rollout of heat pumps as regards use of hydrofluorocarbons (the main types of F-gas).</p><p> </p><p>In addition to the F-gas Regulation, Ofgem has a framework in place that encourages the reduction of SF6 emissions from existing switchgear equipment on the grid.</p><p> </p><p>The F-gas Regulation reduces emissions primarily through the phasedown of the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the main type of F-gases. The Regulation also sets rules on F-gas use, containment, recovery and destruction and training and certification.</p><p> </p><p>Alternative technologies to the use of SF6 in the power sector are being developed, with some already available and being deployed. Consideration needs to be given as to the ability to use alternatives at some existing sites, particularly where the footprint of a site is restricted such as in built-up areas.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 16/03/2023 16:59:21 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name F_gas_regulation_in_Great_Britain.pdf title Assessment Report F-gas
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1600568

registered interest
date	01/03/2023
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	Gun Sports: Lead
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the paper by R E Green, M A Taggart, D J Pain, et al ‘Voluntary transition by hunters and game meat suppliers from lead to non-lead shotgun ammunition: changes in practice after three years’, published in the Conservation Evidence Journal in February, which found that three years into the five year voluntary phase-out programme, 94 per cent of pheasants sold in supermarkets were killed with lead shot, what steps they plan to take to end the use of lead shot in hunting in England.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6024
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2023 answer text <p>In 2020, nine high-profile shooting organisations released a joint statement calling for an end to lead in ammunition used for taking live quarry with shotguns within five years. We welcomed this move away from lead and are committed to ensuring a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between shooting and conservation.</p><p> </p><p>In Spring 2021, Defra asked the Health &amp; Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency to prepare a UK REACH restriction dossier for lead in ammunition. This required both organisations to consider the evidence of risk posed by lead in ammunition on human health and the environment, and therefore, the case for introducing a restriction on lead in ammunition. HSE published restriction proposals in May 2022, setting out a range of options for introducing restrictions on lead in ammunition, and opened a six-month consultation. In January 2023, due to the large volume of consultation responses, HSE announced a six-month extension to its review process, to allow for due consideration of responses to inform the development of its final recommendation. The HSE final opinions are now expected by 6 November 2023. The Defra Secretary of State will be required to make a decision within three months of receipt of the opinions, with the consent of Welsh and Scottish Ministers.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 10/03/2023 14:46:03 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1599669

registered interest
date	27/02/2023
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	Fisheries: South Atlantic Ocean
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote a regional fisheries agreement for the South Atlantic.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5884
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2023 answer text <p>The UK government is concerned about gaps in international fisheries governance in areas of our ocean and fish stocks not covered by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO), including the South West Atlantic. The UK plans to raise this issue for discussion in a variety of international forums this year, including the Resumed Review Conference on the UN Fish Stocks Agreement. Establishing new agreements which would bring about more robust governance arrangements is likely to be a lengthy process. As a first step, and more immediate solution, we will be encouraging distant water fishing nations and coastal States to share scientific data in areas where there is no RFMO.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 10/03/2023 13:36:53 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1585996

registered interest
date	09/02/2023
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	Beavers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to facilitate and plan for releases of beavers into the wild in England; and what consideration they have given to the optimal population and distribution of beavers.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5585
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2023 answer text <p>Taking into account the range of responses and feedback from the consultation on our approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England, Defra will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 16/02/2023 13:32:08 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1585997

registered interest
date	09/02/2023
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	Game: Birds
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 potential shortage of birds for commercial hunting given the avian flu pandemic and restrictions on bird movement.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5586
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2023 answer text <p>The United Kingdom is currently experiencing its biggest ever outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) in poultry and captive birds. Defra’s approach aims to reduce adverse impacts on the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment (including impact on wildlife), whilst protecting public health and minimising the overall cost of any outbreak.</p><p> </p><p>During AI outbreaks the release of game birds in the UK is tightly restricted. Due to the global nature of AI, countries such as France which supply the UK with gamebird hatching eggs have also been affected by AI.</p><p> </p><p>Biosecurity at our borders is also paramount in protecting our game farming and shooting sectors. The restrictions put in place on imports, limiting the number of gamebirds that can enter the country, ultimately exist to prevent further outbreaks in poultry farms and gamebird premises.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that any sustained interruption to normal supplies of gamebirds due to AI outbreaks is likely to impact those business that make available gamebirds for commercial hunting in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor the current situation both in Europe and globally, as well as the effectiveness of any disease control measures taken. Any future decisions on disease control measures will be based upon the latest scientific, ornithological, and veterinary advice.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 16/02/2023 13:31:28 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1580453

registered interest
date	24/01/2023
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	Sugar Beet: Neonicotinoids
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in trialling alternatives to thiamethoxam on sugar beet.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5012
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2023 answer text <p>British Sugar are progressing with their plan for the development of alternative, sustainable approaches to protect crops from the Yellows Virus Complex (YV), without the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments. This includes the development of resistant plant varieties, measures to improve seed germination and new integrated pest management (IPM) practices for growers.</p><p>Further details of this work are available on the British Beet Research Organisation’s (BBRO) website, and specific questions on the timeline for deployable alternatives should be directed to industry.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 30/01/2023 14:50:48 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1568845

registered interest
date	19/01/2023
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	Waste: Buildings
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress in reducing waste from sites of new buildings and building refurbishment; and what plans they have further to reduce such waste, including through the introduction of new (1) laws, or (2) regulatory provisions.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2023 answer text <p>The Government co-chairs the Construction Leadership Council with the construction sector. As part of this, The Green Construction Board's focus is to advise the construction industry on the regulatory, policy and technical framework required to deliver a zero carbon, zero waste built environment.</p><p><br> Government has supported the Green Construction Board to produce a Routemap to Zero Avoidable Waste, published in July 2021, and will continue to promote the adoption of resource efficient practices across the sector through close collaboration with the Green Construction Board, and wider industry engagement.</p><p><br> As well as the Green Construction Board, the Construction Leadership Council has developed Construct Zero, a framework to set priorities and provide the Construction Leadership Council with a sector level dashboard on progress towards Net Zero.</p><p><br> Government is also supporting the National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research programme (NICER), set up under the Strategic Priorities Fund, which was developed to match academic research to government strategic need.</p><p><br> With the support of Defra, a total of £30 million for research funding has now been allocated for NICER to establish five circular economy research centres, including one responsible for mineral-based construction materials. The construction materials centre will, amongst other deliverables, focus on innovation to reduce the use and impacts of virgin materials.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/01/2023 11:46:48 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1568367

registered interest
date	18/01/2023
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	Pharmacy: Pollution
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 report in the Lancet First, do no harm: time for a systems approach to address the problem of health-care-derived pharmaceutical pollution, published in December 2022; and what steps, if any, they plan to take regarding its recommendations.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4839
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2023 answer text <p>Defra and its agencies, including the Environment Agency, have not yet considered the report in full detail but will do so in due course. We will consider the recommendations in conjunction with officials in the Department for Health and Social Care. Defra has already noted that some of the suggested interventions in the Lancet paper may be relevant to veterinary medicines. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate within Defra is actively considering issues around pharmaceuticals in the environment, and conducts environmental risk assessments for all new veterinary medicines.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 01/02/2023 15:05:43 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1566986

registered interest
date	16/01/2023
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	Landfill: Coastal Areas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to respond to the issues raised by the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group’s Coastal Landfill Survey Report, published on 30 November 2022, which found that in 26 councils coastal landfill sites are spilling waste into the sea.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <p>I very much welcome the work that this group has and continues to do. The findings from the Local Government Association coastal special interest group survey will help to inform our planned evidence-based national assessment on the issues regarding these historic coastal landfill sites, which are varied and complex. This, together with a full review of previous and other current activity in this space, will enable us to consolidate and provide a true and accurate picture of the issue, and assist those local authorities who have the responsibility for managing these sites to identify the most effective and cost beneficial way forward.</p><p><br> My officials will continue to work closely with our LGA colleagues as this work progresses, and we value their continued insight and support.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/01/2023 17:43:58 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1566590

registered interest
date	12/01/2023
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	Poisoning: Nature Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) proactive, and (2) reactive, steps they are taking to (a) prevent, and (b) end, the sale of (i) poison, and (ii) other products, being promoted for the killing of protected animals in the UK.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4697
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <p>The Government strongly condemns the use of any poisons targeted at our protected species. Those found guilty of such illegal activities can expect to face the full force of the law, including potentially severe fines and custodial sentences.</p><p>All vertebrate wildlife is subject to general welfare protection under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Methods of killing or taking not involving poisons are also regulated by legislation; for example, the Pests Act 1954 prohibits the approval of any type of leghold trap or the use of unapproved spring traps.</p><p>There are strict regulations in place in Great Britain (GB) to ensure that when chemical products for pest control are used properly, they do not harm people, pets or the wider environment, including protected species. Products must be authorised before they can be made available on the market and must be used in accordance with the conditions of that authorisation</p><p><br>It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with the laws that regulate the supply of chemicals in GB, or to use chemicals in a way which harms people, pets, protected species or the wider environment, with penalties that may lead to unlimited fines or imprisonment.</p><p>There are robust, multi-agency arrangements in place for enforcing the illegal supply and use of chemicals which include the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, the police and local authorities, with the illegal poisoning of protected species investigated by a dedicated Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/01/2023 12:55:02 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle