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1111047

registered interest
date	10/04/2019
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	Birds: Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend protection to nest sites for species which return to the same sites on an annual basis, such as swifts, swallows and martins; and what assessment they have made of the barriers to those birds returning to such sites, including the use of netting.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15183
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>While swallows, swifts and martins have preferential nest sites, they will nest elsewhere. Therefore, protecting nests while they are in use is the most important consideration.</p><p> </p><p>We would expect those considering excluding birds from nest sites to do so only when truly necessary and in compliance with the relevant legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to leading developers to remind them of their obligations in this regard, which includes existing planning practice guidance on the natural environment, and standing advice for local planning authorities to assess the impacts of development on wild birds.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 25/04/2019 16:24:49 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110684

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
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	Water: Pollution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what research they have conducted into the pollution of watercourses by antibiotics for both humans and livestock in the last five years; and what were the findings of any such research.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15148
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) monitors several antibiotics in watercourses as part of a surveillance network of substances on an EU Watch List. This dataset as a whole is collated across Europe to assess the level of exposure and prioritise substances for future inclusion under the Water Framework Directive. If selected, Europe wide environmental quality standards will be developed and implemented through this process.</p><p> </p><p>The EA has over the last five years continued working with the water industry via United Kingdom Water Industry Research to understand better and quantify levels of antibiotics in pre- and post-treatment effluents from sewage treatment works. This will continue in the next phase of work due to start in 2020.</p><p><br> Together these have demonstrated that:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Antibiotics are present in effluents and watercourses and will need to be assessed against any future environmental quality standards.</li><li>Wastewater treatment processes in common usage remove a relatively small proportion of the antibiotics studied (compared to other substances in effluents) before release into the environment.</li></ul><p> </p><p>A study report, reference number 18/EQ/01/13, is available from United Kingdom Water Industry Research <a href="https://www.ukwir.org/eng/search-uk-water-industry-research-reports" target="_blank">https://www.ukwir.org/eng/search-uk-water-industry-research-reports</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 24/04/2019 12:45:35 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110685

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
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	Water: Pollution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what research they have conducted into the pollution of watercourses by hormones contained in human waste.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15149
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) has worked over the last five years with the water industry via United Kingdom Water Industry Research (UKWIR) to understand better and quantify levels of hormones in pre- and post-treatment effluents containing human waste from wastewater treatment works. This will continue in the next phase of work due to start in 2020.</p><p> </p><p>A study report, reference number 18/EQ/01/13, is available from UKWIR <a href="https://www.ukwir.org/eng/search-uk-water-industry-research-reports" target="_blank">https://www.ukwir.org/eng/search-uk-water-industry-research-reports</a></p><p><br> The EA also monitors hormones in watercourses as part of a surveillance network of substances on an EU Watch List.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 24/04/2019 12:50:08 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110686

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
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	Water: Pollution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of evidence that demonstrates the adverse effects on aquatic wildlife of hormones that have entered watercourses from treated sewage.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15150
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) has previously carried out an extensive research programme into the feminising effects of hormones in treated sewage on wild roach populations (<em>Rutilus rutilus</em>) (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-identification-of-oestrogenic-effects-in-wild-fish).%20" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-identification-of-oestrogenic-effects-in-wild-fish). </a></p><p> </p><p>In the autumn of 2019 the EA will be publishing the results of research undertaken recently to investigate the current levels of feminisation in similar fish populations, as a comparison to the previous study.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 24/04/2019 12:49:38 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110140

registered interest
date	08/04/2019
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	Birds: Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government under what circumstances it is legal to sell wild UK species of birds as caged birds.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15108
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>It is an offence to sell, offer for sale, possess or transport for sale or exchange, any live bird unless it is a species listed, as a bird which may be sold, in part 1 of schedule 3 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act. To be legally sold the bird must be bred in captivity and be fitted with a closed leg ring.</p><p> </p><p>The international commercial trade in certain species of wild caught birds also needs to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to which the UK is party and which is implemented in the UK through the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations. This is a multilateral environment agreement which aims to ensure that trade in endangered species does not threaten their survival by controlling international trade in these specimens through a licensing system. CITES prohibits nearly all international trade in wild caught specimens of the most at risk species which are listed on Appendix I. Species that are not currently threatened with extinction but for which uncontrolled trade would not be sustainable, are included on CITES Appendix II and can only be traded internationally with the correct permits. These permits will only be granted if their trade is considered not to be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 24/04/2019 11:52:03 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110141

registered interest
date	08/04/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Birds: Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prosecutions there have been for selling birds caught in the wild in the UK during the last five years.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15109
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>One defendant was proceeded against at magistrates’ courts for selling a wild bird, in England and Wales, between 2013 and 2017, this being in 2016.</p><p> </p><p>Court proceedings data for 2018 is planned for publication on 16 May 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland would be matters for the relevant devolved administrations.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 24/04/2019 12:43:53 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110142

registered interest
date	08/04/2019
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	Birds: Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they monitor the internet regularly for evidence of a rise in criminal activity with regard to birds caught in the wild; and if so, what has been the result of such monitoring.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15110
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The enforcement of all offences, including wildlife offences, is an operational matter for the police.</p><p> </p><p>The police monitor and gather intelligence on online activity relating to crimes against birds and other wildlife to inform their investigations.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 24/04/2019 12:42:08 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1110143

registered interest
date	08/04/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Science: Higher Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 5 April (HL14870), what plans they have to ensure more people are encouraged to study entomology and soil science to help address the decline in insect populations and the degradation of soils.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL15111
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>As announced in the Industrial Strategy, the government is committed to growing the skills we need for a dynamic and modern economy. This includes developing a technical education system that rivals the best in the world and stands alongside our world-class academic offer. We recognise the importance of investing in the types of skills to secure the scientific grounding and technological aptitude we need to be successful as our economy changes. The government is encouraging more students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and training at all stages, starting from an early age.</p><p> </p><p>The early years foundation stage sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. This includes helping young children understand the world, living things and the environment, as well as encouraging observations of animals and plants. Teachers are also encouraged to teach children about the natural, built and practical environments, for example, by providing small world equipment and taking care of flowerbeds.</p><p> </p><p>We have committed substantial spending on STEM skills, specifically on mathematics, digital and technical education, to increase the take-up and better teaching of STEM subjects in schools. There are also GCSEs that provide students with background knowledge relevant to agriculture-related studies, such as how humans use, modify and change ecosystems and environments in order to obtain food, energy and water. In GCSE biology, pupils will cover topics such as photosynthesis, gene technology and living organisms, which can include insects. Additionally, we introduced an environmental science A level in 2017, which includes topics such as the conservation of biodiversity.</p><p>As agriculture moves towards a more technical, automated and digital mode, and demand for these skills increases, the sector has the potential to offer exciting and interesting careers. The government has committed to improving STEM careers advice in schools in the careers strategy, attached, which ensures that STEM encounters, such as with employers and apprenticeships, are built into school career programmes by updating school and college statutory guidance.</p><p> </p><p>The government also funds a number of programmes that aim to inspire more young people to study science subjects, such as the STEM Ambassadors programme, and the CREST awards, which engages students in STEM related projects.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/04/2019 14:23:59 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL15111_Careers_strategy.pdf title HL15111_Careers_Strategy
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1105688

registered interest
date	27/03/2019
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	Agriculture
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 report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation The future of food and agriculture—Alternative pathways to 2050, published on 4 October 2018; and what assessment they have made of which elements of that report apply to UK agriculture.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL14868
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text <p>Defra has not specifically made an assessment of the report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation: ‘The future of food and agriculture – alternative pathways to 2050’. However, the issues addressed in this report are a priority for Defra. Defra Group’s Strategy sets out our ambition for the UK to be a world-leading food, farming and fishing nation; that we will grow more, sell more, and export more food around the world. It also sets out our ambition is to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than that in which we found it.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to changing UK farming for the better as we leave the EU. The Agriculture Bill will help farmers in England to grow high quality food in a more sustainable way, enhancing the environment for future generations.</p><p> </p><p>Defra Research and Development (R&amp;D) also seeks to develop our knowledge in these areas, including research on sustainable intensification, through which farming systems can maintain or increase outputs while enhancing environmental and societal benefits; and breeding to improve the productivity, sustainability and resilience of food production, through our Genetic Improvement Networks.</p><p> </p><p>Together with existing R&amp;D, new cross-cutting measures for innovation, being developed alongside the Agriculture Bill will balance the needs to increase productivity and promote environmental benefit, enabling long term resilience and sustainability.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 09/04/2019 15:21:38 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1105689

registered interest
date	27/03/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Agriculture: Degrees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many agriculture degrees in England offer modules on agroecology.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL14869
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on UK higher education (HE).</p><p>Analysis of HESA’s ‘Student Record 2017/18’ shows that there were 2 HE institutions in England with one or more participants in agroecology[1] modules in the academic year 2017/18. These agroecology modules were all at postgraduate level at either Harper Adams University or Coventry University.</p><p>Module data for HE provided by further education colleges and alternative providers is not held centrally.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] Relevant module titles identified in the HESA Student Record were ‘Fundamentals of Agroecology’, ‘Agroecological Techniques and Practices’ and ‘Agroecological Production Systems’.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 10:40:18 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer