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1433452

registered interest
date	21/02/2022
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	Paraquat: Exports
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the global number of (1) deaths, and (2) injuries, caused by UK exports of the banned herbicide paraquat to countries where its use remains legal; what assessment they made of the environmental impact of such exports; and what consideration they have given to restricting exports of pesticides that are banned in the UK.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6216
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2022 answer text <p>We take our trade and international obligations for human health and the environment seriously and continue to monitor action in other countries and learn from their experiences.</p><p>The export of paraquat from Great Britain (GB) is regulated under the GB Prior Informed Consent (PIC) regulatory regime for the export and import of certain hazardous chemicals. Companies intending to export any of these chemicals from the GB must notify the importing country via the exporter’s Designated National Authority. For GB, the Designated National Authority is The Health and Safety Executive (HSE).</p><p>Paraquat additionally requires the explicit consent of the importing country before export can take place. The exchange of information that PIC provides allows the importing countries to make informed decisions on the import of those chemicals and on how to handle and use them safely. This process is kept under review.</p><p>We believe it is essential that the use of actives that are known to be hazardous to human health or the environment should be subject to scientific risk assessment, mitigation and regulatory protections. That is why we support notification of the export of Paraquat under GB PIC and support its listing under the Rotterdam convention. ​</p><p>Additionally, the UK is committed to working internationally including through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and United Nations Environment Assembly to support other nations to safely manage pesticides. We also believe in evidence-based international policy-making through the use of scientific committees, such as the Chemical Review Committee, and strengthening of the international ‘science - policy interface’ for chemicals and pesticides to support global decision-making.</p><p>We are progressing projects assessing the impacts of pesticides, including Paraquat, on human health and the environment in developing countries. We will continue to support developing countries to use pest management techniques which are most beneficial for them based on evidence and the expressed desires of the countries.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 07/03/2022 16:09:57 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1421084

registered interest
date	08/02/2022
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 Yorkshire
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 31 January (HL5420), and further to the research by Tim Deere-Jones reported in the Guardian article 'Study links crab deaths and dog illness to dredging for Teesside freeport', published on 7 February, what further assessment they plan to make of a potential link between the mass loss of sea-life around the North Yorkshire coast and reports of the ill-health of dogs which have walked in the sea and on the seashore.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2022 answer text <p>Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have been in touch with the University of Liverpool Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) which has been investigating the increase in reports of vomiting and diarrhoea (V&amp;D) in dogs in the Northeast of England. Investigations continue, but so far SAVSNET has reported a seasonal increase across England in V&amp;D commonly seen each year in dogs, with an exceptional peak in NE Yorkshire. There is some positive association with canine enteric coronavirus and no link to walking on the beach for the majority of cases. While it cannot definitively point to a common cause, SAVSNET does suggest this is a transmissible infection rather than contact with the beach area or sea water. Canine enteric coronavirus is an alpha-coronavirus and is not related to beta-coronavirus which causes COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>The dogs recover after a few days, although some may require supportive care from their vet.</p><p> </p><p>SAVSNET stated on 3 February: “Between 29<sup>th</sup> and 31<sup>st</sup> January 2022 we had details of 208 cases submitted by vets and owners. The most common clinical signs reported were inappetence, and vomiting and diarrhoea both without blood. The majority (79%) of dogs had NOT visited the beach prior to becoming ill and many cases were reported inland (away from the coast). The vast majority of cases (94%) had been vaccinated in the last three years. The majority (56) of the 88 owners who had more than one dog reported that other dogs in the household had also shown similar signs possibly suggesting in infectious cause. The majority of dogs seem to recover within 7-14 days, although over 60% required treatment of some form. No underlying cause was reported and so the aetiology of this outbreak is still unknown.”</p><p> </p><p>SAVSNET is continuing with its investigation and we continue to keep this under consideration.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 22/02/2022 13:27:35 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1419969

registered interest
date	04/02/2022
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	Pheasants: Import Controls
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what extra controls they have placed on the (1) import, and (2) release, of pheasants in light of the high levels of avian flu in Europe; and what assessment they have made of the impact on pheasant releases on the (a) prevalence, and (b) spread, of the disease in the UK.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5961
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/02/2022 answer text <p>Poultry and poultry products, which include chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon (bred for meat), partridge, quail, guinea fowl and pheasants, cannot be imported into the UK from within avian influenza disease control zones in European Union (EU) Member States. With regards to imports from non-EU Third Countries, the UK trade rules approve only a very limited number of countries outside the EU for import into the UK. All live poultry and poultry related products must be certified as disease free and therefore suitable for trade.</p><p> </p><p>Effective animal disease control is one of Defra’s key priorities and all disease control and prevention measures including those applied to game birds are made on the basis of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe" target="_blank">risk assessments</a> containing the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Kept game birds cannot be moved on or off a premises in a disease control zone except under licence and the release of game birds is not permitted within any avian influenza disease control zone. Outside of disease control zones, game birds can be released into the wild, and game birds that have already been released are classified as wild birds and the person who released the game birds is no longer classed as the ‘keeper’ of the birds.</p><p> </p><p>Defra works closely with the Game Farmers Association and other game shooting, research and game conservation bodies to provide <a href="https://www.gfa.org.uk/user_files/uploads/Bird_Flu_and_Gamebirds%20-%2018%20Nov%202021.pdf" target="_blank">advice</a> on how game farmers can maintain good biosecurity at their premises and reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, in order to inform risk assessments and understand how avian influenza is distributed geographically and in different types of bird, including released game birds, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) engages in year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds in Great Britain submitted via public reports and warden patrols. Findings from this surveillance have included pheasants during the 2020/2021 outbreak and the risk of incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in wild birds is currently assessed as very high (with low uncertainty) for England and high (with high uncertainty) for Wales and Scotland. With regards to game bird releases, these are completed in earlier autumn typically prior to the high-risk period for avian influenza. The risk associated with gamebird activities which occur during the higher risk period for avian influenza, including shooting and gathering up of gamebirds (which occur overwinter and in the spring respectively) have been assessed by APHA and are used to inform decisions regarding control measures. The risk assessments are published and available on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Contact either directly or indirectly with infected wild birds is the principal route of spread of avian influenza and the risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 across Great Britain is currently assessed as medium (with low uncertainty) where good biosecurity is applied, but high (with low uncertainty) where there are substantial biosecurity breaches or poor biosecurity. If, however, stringent biosecurity is in place the risk would be low for these premises.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 18/02/2022 14:47:33 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1418468

registered interest
date	31/01/2022
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	Bread
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to introducing a legal definition of (1) sourdough bread, and (2) other sourdough products.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5781
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2022 answer text <p>Defra alongside the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Northern Ireland and Wales, Food Standards Scotland, DHSC, and the Scottish and Welsh Governments are currently conducting a review of The Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 and The Bread and Flour (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1998 to ensure the regulations are fit for purpose and support UK industry while protecting consumers. To assist the review, DEFRA convened a technical working group made up of a wide range of relevant stakeholders to help identify and explore the issues around the regulations which cover the compositional requirements of bread and flour. As part of this, the working group is exploring the use of the term &quot;sourdough&quot;, to assess whether providing a definition of sourdough in any legislative changes to the Bread and Flour Regulations would be beneficial to protect consumers.</p><p>The UK maintains high standards on the information provided on food labels and packaging so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy and as part of the Government's Food Strategy, we are reviewing how food information, including labelling, can be improved. Existing food labelling rules and other requirements on the control of additives in food production ensure that food is produced safely and labelled effectively to enable consumers to make informed choices on the food they buy and consume.</p><p>Bakers, including those producing sourdough products, can effectively market their products on their own merits within the rules as they stand, and legislation supports such marketing so long as it is not misleading. While discussions around the term &quot;sourdough&quot; are still ongoing, legislative intervention is just one option and should be restricted to areas where there is clear market failure. The Government is supportive of non-regulatory measures and encourages further work on the draft industry code of practice which could help achieve a better mutual understanding in this area.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 14/02/2022 14:38:44 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1417128

registered interest
date	26/01/2022
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	Plants: Non-native Species
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ban the further sale of plants listed in Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5692
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2022 answer text <p>Water fern (<em>Azolla filiculoides</em>) and Australian swap stonecrop (<em>Crassula helmsii</em>) are banned from sale by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Floating pennywort (<em>Hydrocotyle ranunculoides</em>), parrot’s feather (<em>Myriophyllum aquaticum)</em> and water-primrose (<em>Ludwigia grandiflora</em>), previously banned from sale under this Act, are now among 36 plant species banned from sale by the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019. There are no plans to make the sale of further Schedule 9 plant species an offence.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 09/02/2022 12:32:08 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1417129

registered interest
date	26/01/2022
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	Outdoor Recreation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to appoint a new leader of the cross-government Commission on Access to the Outdoors; and when they expect it to (1) conclude its work, and (2) report.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5693
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2022 answer text <p>The Access to the Outdoors Commission was a cross government initiative leading up to the Spending Review, considering how to increase access to green spaces. It informed policy development and Defra continues to work collaboratively with other Government departments to seek opportunities to improve access to the outdoors where possible. The Commission has now concluded its work.</p><p> </p><p>The Spending Review is providing more than £30 million to improve public access to green spaces in support of health, wellbeing and the environment. We are also investing £9 million to level up urban green spaces across the UK through the Levelling Up Parks Fund. Grants will be given to, and administered by, local authorities, to deliver new green spaces in over 100 of the neighbourhoods most deprived of green space. As announced in the Levelling Up White Paper a new £30 million parks fund will also deliver up to £1 million to at least 30 local parks in England for refurbishment with an emphasis on facilities for young families.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme provides additional investment to allow farmers and other land managers to work in partnership with our National Park Authorities and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty teams to improve public access, and deliver bigger and better outcomes for the environment, for people and for places.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 09/02/2022 17:46:52 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1403685

registered interest
date	17/01/2022
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	Consumer Goods: Waste Disposal
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a waste law that would prevent companies destroying unsold or returned goods.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5416
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2022 answer text <p>Businesses are obliged to follow the waste hierarchy, set out in the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. This gives priority to preventing waste, and only then, in order, to reuse, recycling, recovery and last of all disposal. Failure to comply with this hierarchy can lead to enforcement action.</p><p> </p><p>Last year, we consulted on a new Waste Prevention Programme for England, which includes proposals to further clarify and enhance this approach. We expect to publish the response to this shortly.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 01/02/2022 11:59:49 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1403689

registered interest
date	17/01/2022
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 Yorkshire
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any assessment of the cause of the mass loss of sea-life around the North Yorkshire coast, particularly in regards to Teesport and Scarborough; and whether any link has been found to reports of dogs falling ill after going into the sea.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5420
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2022 answer text <p>Defra, Cefas, the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency (EA), along with other agencies, are continuing to collaborate on the investigation into the cause of crab and lobster deaths along the Tees Valley including Teesport and Scarborough. The EA and Cefas have undertaken extensive tests to try to determine the cause and are reviewing the evidence gathered since the start of this incident. It has not yet been possible to identify a definitive cause. Additional testing has been undertaken and the latest results are awaited. Cefas found no evidence of disease, and chemical pollution was previously ruled out by the Environment agency as a likely cause of the mortality.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is aware of reports of dogs falling ill at several dog-walking locations including local beaches. The Animal and Plant Health Agency has been alerted about these reports. We are not aware of any link with the crab and lobster mortality in the area late last year.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 31/01/2022 17:45:59 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1400158

registered interest
date	05/01/2022
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	Microplastics: Health Hazards
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to investigate the human health impacts of microplastics in (1) food, and (2) the environment.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5085
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2022 answer text <p>Defra and the Environment Agency are working with academia, National Highways, and the UK water industry to improve our understanding of the scale of the microplastic pollution problem and to identify the key sources within the natural environment.</p><p> </p><p>The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been monitoring the scientific literature concerning the occurrence and effects of microplastics in food. On the basis of current evidence, the FSA considers it is unlikely that the presence of microplastic particles at the levels that have been reported to occur in certain types of food, especially seafood, would cause harm to consumers.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is funding research to examine wider sources of microplastics, which will enable us to monitor and assess emerging information concerning microplastics in food and the environment. Our proposed bans on numerous commonly littered plastic items will further reduce the sources of microplastics that damage our environment.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 20/01/2022 11:53:58 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1400160

registered interest
date	05/01/2022
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	Pheasants
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they regard captive-reared pheasants released into the environment as livestock or wildlife.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5087
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2022 answer text <p>A released captive-reared pheasant may be regarded as livestock if it remains significantly dependent on a keeper for their survival, for example for the provision of food, water, or shelter.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 19/01/2022 16:24:08 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle