Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1387204

registered interest
date	13/12/2021
answering body	Scotland Office
answering dept id	2
answering dept short name	Scotland
answering dept sort name	Scotland
hansard heading	Seed Potatoes: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2021 to Question 73993 on Seed Potatoes: Scotland, what new markets his Department has identified for Scottish seed potato exports which were not previously available.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	92110
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2021 answer text <p>My officials and I fully appreciate the importance of Scotland’s seed potato industry, not only for ware production across the UK but also for export, and its deserved reputation for high quality.</p><p> </p><p>Currently, the Scottish potato sector exports to over 40 countries worldwide, with recent data suggesting that the majority (around 80%) of Scottish seed potato exports already go to countries outside the EU, including Egypt, Morocco, Thailand and Turkey, demonstrating that Scottish seed potato exporters already take advantage of world markets.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 16/12/2021 11:36:31 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1387244

registered interest
date	13/12/2021
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Blue Badge Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress has been made in negotiations with EU countries that have not yet confirmed recognition of the UK Blue Badge Scheme in their jurisdiction; and what estimate he has made of the timescale for the conclusion of those negotiations.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	92111
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2021 answer text <p>As per my update to the House on 16 November, the Government remains committed to confirming the status of UK issued Blue Badges for motorists visiting Europe. Twenty countries have already committed to recognising Blue Badges and are listed on gov.uk: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-using-it-in-the-eu/using-a-blue-badge-in-the-european-union" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-using-it-in-the-eu/using-a-blue-badge-in-the-european-union</a></p><p>Discussions continue with a number of countries and I will update the House further when they have concluded.</p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 17/12/2021 10:31:51 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1386957

registered interest
date	10/12/2021
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she will respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Gordon dated 22 October 2021 and 26 November 2021 (Case Ref: RI4282) regarding the Export Support Service.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	90957
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2021 answer text <p>I responded to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Gordon, dated 22 October 2021 and 26 November 2021, (Case Ref: RI4282) regarding the Export Support Service on 17 December.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer question first answered 20/12/2021 10:24:26 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1380015

registered interest
date	18/11/2021
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	Fertilisers: Supply Chains
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 recent assessment his Department has made of the stability and security of the agricultural fertiliser supply chain; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	77505
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2021 answer text <p>We are aware that due to the increase in cost of natural gas across the globe, which is a key input for the production of ammonium nitrate-based fertiliser products, the cost of production of these fertiliser types has increased significantly. Increased demand has also increased the cost of other alternative fertiliser types. Rising cost of natural gas is affecting Europe and the global market with fertiliser companies halting production due to high input costs.</p><p> </p><p>Industry data[1] reports that ammonium nitrate prices are at record highs, having nearly tripled in price since last November. They state that from November 2020 through to November 2021, the price of imported ammonium nitrate rose from £219 per tonne to between £600 and £630 per tonne, an increase of between 174-188%. Over the same time period, the price of UK produced ammonium nitrate also rose, from £208 per tonne to between £585 and £605, an increase of 181-191%.</p><p> </p><p>A few months ago, the CO2 industry reached an agreement to ensure UK businesses have access to a sustainable supply of CO2. The Government supported this through a short-term financial intervention to allow CF Fertilisers to continue operating while the industry moved towards this agreement. Ammonium Nitrate production has therefore restarted and is being placed onto the domestic market.</p><p> </p><p>Defra have been in contact with key industry figures including the NFU and fertiliser producers and importers, and have frequent contact with the key sector representative body for fertilisers the Agricultural industries Confederation (AIC).</p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to monitor the security and stability of fertiliser and other supply chains and working closely with colleagues across government as well as industry figures. This will help inform how Defra and other industry bodies can best support farmers.</p><p> </p><p>[1] AHDB Fertiliser price data (<a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/GB-fertiliser-prices" target="_blank">https://ahdb.org.uk/GB-fertiliser-prices</a>) and Infofert in collaboration with Profercy european fertiliser review (<a href="https://www.profercy.com/" target="_blank">https://www.profercy.com/</a>)</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 77506 question first answered 26/11/2021 14:28:30 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1380016

registered interest
date	18/11/2021
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	Fertilisers
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 recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of agricultural fertiliser costs on farm businesses.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	77506
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2021 answer text <p>We are aware that due to the increase in cost of natural gas across the globe, which is a key input for the production of ammonium nitrate-based fertiliser products, the cost of production of these fertiliser types has increased significantly. Increased demand has also increased the cost of other alternative fertiliser types. Rising cost of natural gas is affecting Europe and the global market with fertiliser companies halting production due to high input costs.</p><p> </p><p>Industry data[1] reports that ammonium nitrate prices are at record highs, having nearly tripled in price since last November. They state that from November 2020 through to November 2021, the price of imported ammonium nitrate rose from £219 per tonne to between £600 and £630 per tonne, an increase of between 174-188%. Over the same time period, the price of UK produced ammonium nitrate also rose, from £208 per tonne to between £585 and £605, an increase of 181-191%.</p><p> </p><p>A few months ago, the CO2 industry reached an agreement to ensure UK businesses have access to a sustainable supply of CO2. The Government supported this through a short-term financial intervention to allow CF Fertilisers to continue operating while the industry moved towards this agreement. Ammonium Nitrate production has therefore restarted and is being placed onto the domestic market.</p><p> </p><p>Defra have been in contact with key industry figures including the NFU and fertiliser producers and importers, and have frequent contact with the key sector representative body for fertilisers the Agricultural industries Confederation (AIC).</p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to monitor the security and stability of fertiliser and other supply chains and working closely with colleagues across government as well as industry figures. This will help inform how Defra and other industry bodies can best support farmers.</p><p> </p><p>[1] AHDB Fertiliser price data (<a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/GB-fertiliser-prices" target="_blank">https://ahdb.org.uk/GB-fertiliser-prices</a>) and Infofert in collaboration with Profercy european fertiliser review (<a href="https://www.profercy.com/" target="_blank">https://www.profercy.com/</a>)</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 77505 question first answered 26/11/2021 14:28:30 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1379521

registered interest
date	17/11/2021
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, for what reason the minutes of the quarterly Board Meetings of his Department have not been uploaded to the gov.uk website since July 2019.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	76841
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2021 answer text <p>We will publish summaries of Defra board meetings held since July 2019 in due course.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 25/11/2021 16:46:10 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1378096

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Scotland Office
answering dept id	2
answering dept short name	Scotland
answering dept sort name	Scotland
hansard heading	Seed Potatoes: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution to the economy of the Scottish seed potato sector.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	73991
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2021 answer text <p>My officials and I are in regular contact with counterparts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Scottish Government on a range of issues of importance to the seed potato sector in Scotland, including assessment of the contribution the sector makes to the economy.</p><p> </p><p>The Scottish potato sector’s output contributes over £208 million to the economy. They are exported to over 40 countries worldwide.</p><p> </p><p>The Scottish horticulture and potato sector accounts for a sixth, nearly 17% of Scottish agricultural output by value, despite using less than 1% of Scottish farmland. Scottish agriculture employs over 67,000 people and generates a gross output of £3.3 billion annually, directly resulting in a contribution of some £1.3 billion to the Scottish economy.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 18/11/2021 14:49:00 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1378097

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Scotland Office
answering dept id	2
answering dept short name	Scotland
answering dept sort name	Scotland
hansard heading	Seed Potatoes: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Scottish seed potato sector.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	73992
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2021 answer text <p>My officials and I are in regular contact with a range of stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including representatives of the Scottish seed potato sector.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 18/11/2021 14:45:49 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1378098

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Scotland Office
answering dept id	2
answering dept short name	Scotland
answering dept sort name	Scotland
hansard heading	Seed Potatoes: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the impact of leaving the EU on the Scottish seed potato sector; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	73993
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2021 answer text <p>The UK Government is continuously monitoring the agriculture sector and is in regular contact with EU counterparts to help mitigate trade issues, including in relation to seed potatoes.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 18/11/2021 14:45:02 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson

1378099

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Scotland Office
answering dept id	2
answering dept short name	Scotland
answering dept sort name	Scotland
hansard heading	Seed Potatoes: Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) the Government of Ireland on Scottish seed potato exports.
tabling member constituency	Gordon
tabling member printed	Richard Thomson
uin	73994
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2021 answer text <p>My officials and I are in regular contact with the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of issues including those affecting the agri-food sector, most recently at an Inter-Ministerial Government EFRA meeting.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government is in regular contact with the Government of Ireland on similar issues.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 18/11/2021 14:44:02 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
tabling member	4796 label Biography information for Richard Thomson