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1242230

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Pheasants
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 number of pheasants in the UK, and (2) their impact on other wildlife.
tabling member printed	Lord Birt
uin	HL9020
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The number of pheasants and their impact are being considered as part of a review by Defra that was initiated in response to a Judicial Review. The findings of the review will be published in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 26/10/2020 17:00:51 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2533 label Biography information for Lord Birt

1242254

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Beavers: South West
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the reintroduction of beavers into the South West of England in order to encourage the use of natural solutions to improve flood management.
tabling member printed	Lord Teverson
uin	HL9077
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out this Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for the reintroduction of native species where the benefits for the environment, people and the economy are clear.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the range of benefits that beavers may provide with regard to flood management, biodiversity, water quality and resilience to climate change. On the 8<sup>th</sup> of August the Government announced that beavers on the River Otter, the only licensed wild population, would be allowed to remain there permanently and will be allowed to continue to expand their range naturally.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>We plan to hold a public consultation early next year on our national approach for beaver reintroduction, and our strategy for the management of the potential negative impacts of this native species in the wild. <em> </em>Natural England, with support from EA, are continuing work to help inform the Government’s national approach to the management and release of beaver in England and have been engaging with key stakeholders.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park grouped question UIN HL9078 HL9079 question first answered 26/10/2020 16:56:13 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	3789 label Biography information for Lord Teverson

1242280

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Countryside
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the speech by the Prime Minister on 6 October where he referenced the “new wild belts” that will “mark the landscape” by 2030, (1) how much of the area of (a) England, (b) Scotland, and (c) Wales they expect that the wild belts will cover; (2) what processes will be used to create them; (3) to what extent will they be in (a) urban areas, and (b) rural areas; and (4) what designations will the wild belts be allocated.
tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
uin	HL9032
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The Prime Minister recently set out his vision for a greener and transformed Britain, with millions of trees, wilder landscapes for people to enjoy and a commitment to protect 30% of land for biodiversity by 2030. We want to strengthen our existing network of protected areas and explore ways of driving up the biodiversity value of these areas.</p><p> </p><p>Implementation of domestic biodiversity is a devolved matter in the UK. In England the Government is introducing a range of new incentives to restore ecosystems and create wilder landscapes including the Nature for Climate Fund, Nature Recovery Fund and the recently launched Green Recovery Challenge Fund.</p><p> </p><p>Our Environment Bill will introduce Local Nature Recovery Strategies, which will provide a spatial planning tool for nature, allowing local government and communities to identify priorities and opportunities for nature recovery across our protected areas, green belts and wider farming landscape. Local authorities and public bodies more generally will be required to have regard to Local Nature Recovery Strategies.</p><p> </p><p>The term ‘wild belt’ has been used to refer generally to wilder areas around towns and cities but adopted most recently in campaigns by the Wildlife Trusts to set a new designation within a reformed planning system.</p><p> </p><p>Just as we want to see more and better access to nature around our towns and cities, the role of planning in further protecting any areas that are being restored should be considered alongside our ambitious planning reforms. The public consultation for the <em>Planning for the Future</em> white paper is due to close on 29 October. The Government will be carefully analysing all responses before publishing our response.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 26/10/2020 16:51:55 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1242303

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Beavers: South West
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will fund the reintroduction of beavers into appropriate catchment areas of the South West of England in order (1) to improve local flood resilience, and (2) to promote biodiversity.
tabling member printed	Lord Teverson
uin	HL9078
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out this Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for the reintroduction of native species where the benefits for the environment, people and the economy are clear.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the range of benefits that beavers may provide with regard to flood management, biodiversity, water quality and resilience to climate change. On the 8<sup>th</sup> of August the Government announced that beavers on the River Otter, the only licensed wild population, would be allowed to remain there permanently and will be allowed to continue to expand their range naturally.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>We plan to hold a public consultation early next year on our national approach for beaver reintroduction, and our strategy for the management of the potential negative impacts of this native species in the wild. <em> </em>Natural England, with support from EA, are continuing work to help inform the Government’s national approach to the management and release of beaver in England and have been engaging with key stakeholders.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park grouped question UIN HL9077 HL9079 question first answered 26/10/2020 16:56:13 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	3789 label Biography information for Lord Teverson

1242304

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Beavers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will classify the Eurasian beaver as a native species that can breed and live freely in Great Britain; and if so, (1) when, and (2) under what circumstances, they will do so.
tabling member printed	Lord Teverson
uin	HL9079
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2020 answer text <p>The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out this Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for the reintroduction of native species where the benefits for the environment, people and the economy are clear.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the range of benefits that beavers may provide with regard to flood management, biodiversity, water quality and resilience to climate change. On the 8<sup>th</sup> of August the Government announced that beavers on the River Otter, the only licensed wild population, would be allowed to remain there permanently and will be allowed to continue to expand their range naturally.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>We plan to hold a public consultation early next year on our national approach for beaver reintroduction, and our strategy for the management of the potential negative impacts of this native species in the wild. <em> </em>Natural England, with support from EA, are continuing work to help inform the Government’s national approach to the management and release of beaver in England and have been engaging with key stakeholders.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park grouped question UIN HL9077 HL9078 question first answered 26/10/2020 16:56:13 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	3789 label Biography information for Lord Teverson

1242366

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Fly-tipping
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 tackle the illegal dumping of waste.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Aaron Bell
uin	102197
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The illegal dumping of waste, including fly-tipping, is an unacceptable blight on local communities and the environment. The government is committed to cracking down on the waste and carelessness that destroys our natural environment and kills marine life. We are also committed to increasing the penalties for fly-tipping.</p><p> </p><p>Over the last five years we have strengthened and expanded the powers available to tackle the illegal dumping of waste. Local authorities have the power to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £400 to those caught fly-tipping or to householders who pass their waste to a fly-tipper. Vehicles of those suspected of committing a waste crime, including illegal dumping, can be searched and seized.</p><p> </p><p>Those accused of illegal dumping can be prosecuted and, on conviction, can face a fine, up to 12 months imprisonment, or both in a Magistrates Court; or a fine, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both, in a Crown Court. Local authorities carried out a total of 2,397 prosecutions for fly-tipping offences in England in 2018/19, an increase of 7% on 2017/18. The value of total fines increased by 29% to £1,090,000 compared to 2017/18.</p><p> </p><p>We have invested £60 million in the Environment Agency’s waste crime enforcement work since 2014. This year’s Budget committed the government to investing £7.2 million in the development of electronic waste tracking, as well as £0.5 million in 2020/21 to support innovative approaches to tackling fly-tipping.</p><p> </p><p>In the Resources and Waste Strategy we committed to reforming the regulation of waste carriers, tightening up the regulation of the waste exemptions regime and improving intelligence sharing and joint working between enforcement agencies. The Joint Unit for Waste Crime, led by the Environment Agency and including the National Crime Agency, HMRC, the Police and others, was established earlier this year and has already had a number of operational successes.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Bill includes a number of measures to help tackle waste crime. It will enable Government to mandate the use of electronic waste tracking; simplify the process for enforcement authorities to enter premises under a warrant; introduce a new power to search for and seize evidence of waste crime; and reduce the cost and bureaucracy when the police seize vehicles involved in waste crime on behalf of the Environment Agency.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 20/10/2020 16:50:18 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	4837 label Biography information for Aaron Bell

1242379

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Air Pollution: Monitoring
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 increase the availability of air quality monitors.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	101963
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>Our national air quality monitoring network is subject to continuous review to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and delivers value for money. A number of adjustments were made in a recent review including increases in monitoring for fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. The improvement of our air quality monitoring capability is an ongoing endeavour and we are currently undertaking a strategic review of the network to inform future improvements. Any equipment used in statutory air quality monitoring networks is subject to a certification process to ensure that it meets the required standards for air pollutant measurements as set out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 and therefore it is not deemed necessary to legislate further for the standardisation of air quality monitoring.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding the cost of standardised air quality monitors, this is driven by the market. When procuring equipment, officials always work to ensure the best value for money in any monitors procured. Additionally, the approach taken to quantify concentrations of air pollutants across the UK combines modelling with air quality monitoring at the 271 sites across nine national monitoring networks to ensure full coverage of the whole of the UK. The monitoring networks cost the Government approximately £7.5 million each year. Defra is closely following and considering current developments in alternative technologies for the measurement of air pollutants. Based on advice from our independent Air Quality Expert Group, Defra has commissioned work comparing the use of alternative sensor technologies with standard methods, is working with industry to establish performance standards for their use and is testing their real-world application. However, these technologies are not yet mature enough to replace high quality monitors.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 101964 101968 question first answered 20/10/2020 16:53:14 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1242380

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Air Pollution: Monitoring
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 the cost of high standard air quality monitors in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	101964
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>Our national air quality monitoring network is subject to continuous review to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and delivers value for money. A number of adjustments were made in a recent review including increases in monitoring for fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. The improvement of our air quality monitoring capability is an ongoing endeavour and we are currently undertaking a strategic review of the network to inform future improvements. Any equipment used in statutory air quality monitoring networks is subject to a certification process to ensure that it meets the required standards for air pollutant measurements as set out in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 and therefore it is not deemed necessary to legislate further for the standardisation of air quality monitoring.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding the cost of standardised air quality monitors, this is driven by the market. When procuring equipment, officials always work to ensure the best value for money in any monitors procured. Additionally, the approach taken to quantify concentrations of air pollutants across the UK combines modelling with air quality monitoring at the 271 sites across nine national monitoring networks to ensure full coverage of the whole of the UK. The monitoring networks cost the Government approximately £7.5 million each year. Defra is closely following and considering current developments in alternative technologies for the measurement of air pollutants. Based on advice from our independent Air Quality Expert Group, Defra has commissioned work comparing the use of alternative sensor technologies with standard methods, is working with industry to establish performance standards for their use and is testing their real-world application. However, these technologies are not yet mature enough to replace high quality monitors.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 101963 101968 question first answered 20/10/2020 16:53:14 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1242381

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Fireworks: Air Pollution
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 assessment he has made of the effect of the celebrations on the 5th of November on air quality.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	101965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>An assessment of the effect of celebrations surrounding Bonfire Night (5 November) on air quality is made annually as part of the Air Pollution in the UK report. The assessment is based on measurements from the national monitoring network which monitors concentrations of air pollutants in near real-time on the UK-AIR website. The latest report (for 2019) can be accessed at the following URL: <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/index" target="_blank">https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/index</a>. In the latest report, the effects of Bonfire Night celebrations are dealt with under section 6.1.3 Localised Particulate Pollution Episodes (pages 106 – 108).</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 20/10/2020 16:55:36 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1242463

registered interest
date	12/10/2020
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	Livestock: Exports
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2020 to Question 97481, when he plans to launch the consultation on a ban on the export of live animals for slaughter.
tabling member constituency	Hemel Hempstead
tabling member printed	Sir Mike Penning
uin	101997
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2020 answer text <p>The Farm Animal Welfare Committee has reported to us on animal welfare issues concerning live exports and noted that animals should only be transported if absolutely necessary. We are carefully considering the report and recommendations in terms of what they mean for ending excessively long journeys. We intend to launch a consultation on how we deliver on our manifesto commitment later this year.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 101998 102700 question first answered 15/10/2020 16:55:47 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning