argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Fly-tipping — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We do work closely with the police in making fly-tipping a focus for the Environment Agency. I also draw to the attention of the House the fact that we are continuing to do more to help councils to tackle litter more widely. As we announced yesterday, we have plans not only to double fines, but to make it easier to tackle motorists who throw litter out of cars. The Government are very focused on this, and we are working with councils to make progress.
Fly-tipping — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Neil Quentin Gordon Parish (Conservative, Centre-right): I support the views of my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies). The trouble is that the fines are not heavy enough, which makes it easier to tip on farmland than to go to a waste disposal site. Unless we get some teeth and impose really heavy fines, we will not stop these people, who leave farmers with the huge problem of getting rid of the waste.
Fly-tipping — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): I recognise what my hon. Friend says. It is key that we continue to do more to work with farmers at a local level to ensure that their farms have better barriers against such access. Nevertheless, this is about targeting, getting intelligence, ensuring that we follow up people who are dumping, and using the full force of the law to deter such behaviour.
Fly-tipping — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): This matter is devolved in Northern Ireland. We are issuing new guidance with the Department for Communities and Local Government to try to clarify what councils should and should not be charging when people want to use the recycling centre. I know that councils want to do the right thing. Some £800 million is spent every year on tackling litter and fly-tipping, which is why we want to work with councils and the Environment Agency to make improvements.
Fly-tipping — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): We have issued a call for evidence on reward and return schemes for things such as plastic bottles. An independent committee will be looking at that. I know that the Scottish Government have asked our Department to work with them on their proposals. We are looking carefully at the report that came out a couple of weeks ago, but trying to extrapolate economic benefits on the basis of a handful of councils is not necessarily a straightforward exercise.
Ivory Trade — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Environment
Luke Anthony Hall (Conservative, Centre-right): The decline in the elephant population, fuelled by poaching for ivory, shames this generation, so I welcome the Secretary of State’s swift and robust action to address the issue. How quickly will the recommendations be implemented so that we can ensure we are doing everything possible to protect this magnificent species?
Ivory Trade — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Environment
Questions: I thank the Secretary of State for his answer; I think that he is doing the right thing. Will he give us an undertaking that he will come to the House as soon as possible after the consultation and lay out a timetable for the proper implementation of a full ban?; I, along with students and residents across my constituency, welcome the Government’s commitment to a near total ban on ivory sales in the UK. How will the Government work with our friends abroad, especially in south-east Asia, to ensure that together we bring an end to poaching by illegal armed gangs?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely agree. We lose 20,000 of these magnificent creatures every year. It is simply not good enough for the world to wash its hands and say that this is a responsibility of only developing nations. We have to act together globally to ensure that the threat to this magnificent animal is properly met.
Beer Exports — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): Beer is the UK’s third largest food and drink export with a value of nearly £600 million last year. Last week, I visited the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, run by Fuller Smith & Turner, to launch a new British beer export strategy with the British Beer and Pub Association. Fuller’s now exports to more than 80 countries and is one example of our successes with exports. We have regular discussions with the Treasury on the beer industry’s contribution to our local economies and communities.
Beer Exports — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Daniel Robert Kawczynski (Conservative, Centre-right): The Minister will be pleased to know that we have had some initial success in promoting and exporting Shropshire beer to Poland, but more needs to be done over the small breweries relief scheme to help breweries such as Battlefield Brewery in my constituency to unlock the potential for additional exports. Will he continue to press the Chancellor on this important project?
Beer Exports — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Peter James Guy Aldous (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) for raising this issue. St Peter’s Brewery in my constituency has built up a very good export business over many years. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital post Brexit, if we are to open up new markets and create new jobs, that such obstacles are removed?
Beer Exports — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much agree with my hon. Friend. Indeed, I attended an event that we hosted in our embassy in Japan just last year to promote a range of British drinks, including British beers. They are one of our great success stories. The industry aims to increase its exports by around £100 million a year over the next few years, and there are some great success stories that we should champion.
Animal Cruelty: Sentencing — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment.
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I had positive discussions with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice prior to my announcement on 30 September that the Government plan to increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty from the current six months to five years’ imprisonment.
Animal Cruelty: Sentencing — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment.
Robert Alexander Courts (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. Recent research from Battersea has shown that two thirds of the British public would indeed like sentencing to be increased, as the average sentence was only 3.3 months in 2015 once credit for a guilty plea was taken into account. However, will the Secretary of State reassure my constituents that the courts have indicated a desire for those increased sentencing powers such that they will actually get used once they are in place?
Animal Cruelty: Sentencing — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment.
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Absolutely. I thank my hon. Friend for raising this. He has a distinguished legal career of bringing prosecutions against individuals who have been responsible for acts of animal cruelty, and we are all grateful to him for his work. It is the case that the courts have indicated that there are specific, exceptional cases of genuine sadism for which a penalty greater than that of the maximum six months is required.
Animal Cruelty: Sentencing — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment.; Many of my constituents have written to me urging the Government to increase the sentence for animal cruelty, so I thank the Minister for what he has said. Will the Government be looking to give more powers to organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to investigate more matters of animal cruelty?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady makes a very good point. Of course, sentencing decisions and, indeed, policing matters are devolved, but one thing we do at DEFRA is to work closely with the Home Office to ensure that examples of animal cruelty that need to focus the minds of police forces on more effective investigation are at the heart of our shared conversations.
Animal Cruelty: Sentencing — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty to five years’ imprisonment.; Many of my constituents have written to me urging the Government to increase the sentence for animal cruelty, so I thank the Minister for what he has said. Will the Government be looking to give more powers to organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to investigate more matters of animal cruelty?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes a very good point. Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have similar sentences, and it is also the case that similar sentences apply in other Commonwealth jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is a sign of our capacity to learn from other nations, both within and outside the European Union, about what a genuinely progressive approach to animal welfare might be.
Badger Culling — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): We do not carry out post-mortem examinations on every badger removed in cull operations. However, we know from previous research that the prevalence rate of the disease in badgers in the high-risk area is typically around 30%. However, we do want to monitor trends as the cull is implemented, so a small sample of badgers is being collected and tested this year to explore different testing protocols that could be deployed to track the prevalence of TB in badgers culled in future years.
Badger Culling — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): The basis for the roll-out of the cull was the randomised badger culling trials carried out under the previous Labour Government. Those trials showed that there would be a reduction in the disease through a badger cull. Indeed, research carried out earlier this summer by Christl Donnelly has confirmed that there is a 58% reduction in the disease in cattle in Gloucester and a 21% reduction in Somerset. That is within the range we would expect, based on the RBCTs.
Badger Culling — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): If the hon. Gentleman had listened to my earlier answer, he would know that I said precisely that we want to monitor trends in this disease, which is why we are starting to collect and test a sample of badgers to develop these protocols. A lot of post-mortem analysis was done during the RBCTs, and we know from that—it was not conclusive—that the typical prevalence rate of the disease in the badger population in the high-risk area is 30%.
Leaving the EU: Labour Supply — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the supply of labour to the farming and agricultural sectors.
Andrew John Stevenson (Conservative, Centre-right): There is a lot of discussion about the farming and agricultural sector but, as the Minister will know, the Department is also responsible for food and drink manufacturing, which is the largest manufacturing sector and also a very large employer. Will he assure me that that sector will not be overlooked?
Leaving the EU: Labour Supply — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the supply of labour to the farming and agricultural sectors.; The Minister will no doubt be aware that farming contributes £1.5 billion a year to the Welsh economy. If the Government decided on a no-deal Brexit, it would have a significant impact on Welsh farming, including in relation to workforce shortages. Will he make a statement on what he plans to do in a no-deal scenario to support the Welsh agricultural economy?
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government are planning for all scenarios. We have been very clear that we want a comprehensive free trade agreement with our European partners, and we want a close partnership to be put in place. However, if we want to be serious around a negotiating table, we obviously have to prepare for everything, and that is why we are also preparing for a no-deal scenario.
Leaving the EU: Policy Framework — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I quite agree. I had the opportunity to hear from representatives of the crofting sector when I visited Scotland. I make a commitment to visit every part of the United Kingdom and to work constructively with the devolved Administrations to create a UK-wide framework that ensures that we can preserve the internal market within the UK and get the best trade deals with other countries, but at the same time be sensitive to the specific needs of, for example, Orkney’s very fine beef farmers.
Leaving the EU: Policy Framework — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Not only have I spoken to the farming union representatives I mentioned earlier, but I have had regular conversations with the Food and Drink Federation and others across the food and drink sector. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that food and drink is the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector. We see huge opportunities outside the European Union to export more and make the most of British produce, because we are so lucky that British food and drink is the best in the world.
Leaving the EU: Policy Framework — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Environment
Questions: The most recent scientific evidence again shows the link between a decline in our pollinators and the use of neonicotinoids. My right hon. Friend has secured so many successes in the last few months, including on ivory, plastics, CCTV in slaughterhouses and mandatory sentencing for cruelty. Will he now ensure that the science that we know is correct is implemented and we introduce a permanent ban on the main three neonicotinoids on the market today?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his campaigning on this issue. It is vital that we do all we can to ensure that our insect population, and in particular our pollinator population, is protected. They are vital to the health of our environment. We are looking closely at the science in this matter.
Leaving the EU: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Government Operations
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I made it a priority to engage with the Scottish Government as early as possible and I spoke to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary, Fergus Ewing, during my first week in office. We met for follow-up talks at the Royal Highland Show on 22 June. I also met Mr Ewing and representatives of the other devolved Administrations on 25 September, and we are due to meet again in early November.
Leaving the EU: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that subject. I received a letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries and Galloway (Mr Jack) on behalf of Scottish Conservative MPs setting out a very constructive suggestion on how to take matters forward. That is proof that having 14 Scottish Conservative Members here is a way of ensuring that the interests of Scotland’s farming and fisheries sectors are better represented than ever before in this House.
Leaving the EU: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
John Robert Lamont (Conservative, Centre-right): While my right hon. Friend is considering Scotland, may I remind him that many Scottish farmers are concerned about the reintroduction of lynx in the Kielder forest? Can he reassure me that my constituents and the Scottish Borders Council will be consulted before this moves forward?
Leaving the EU: Scotland — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): May I thank my hon. Friend for raising that issue? I visited his constituency in a private capacity in August to fish on the Tweed. I had the opportunity while there to hear from his constituents not only about what a fantastic job he is doing, but about their concerns about the reintroduction of lynx. I will of course ensure that we take full account of their views before any progress towards such a reintroduction takes place.
Leaving the EU: Finance — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): Leaving the EU is a great opportunity to design a new agriculture policy that is fit for purpose in the 21st century. As we develop plans for a new agriculture Bill, we are considering how best to deploy the financial support committed to agriculture and the farmed environment. At the heart of that policy will be a focus on delivering environmental outcomes and improving soil health. Other measures under consideration will address issues such as productivity, animal welfare and risk management.
Leaving the EU: Finance — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Minister for that response, in particular on the need to increase productivity in the farming sector. What consideration has he given to potential changes in taxes, to encourage more investment in machinery and technology post-Brexit?
Leaving the EU: Finance — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): As part of our work on innovation, we are considering grants to support investment in farms. Tax policy is obviously a matter for Treasury Ministers, but there are already annual investment allowances to support investment in farm machinery, and many farmers make use of them.
Leaving the EU: Finance — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): We are doing quite a lot of analysis of sectors of the industry that could be affected by any future reform in agriculture policy. The hon. Lady is right to say that some farmers in the uplands are more financially vulnerable, and we are taking that into account. We have also been very clear that any change we implement would have a transition period to ensure that people can adjust.
Leaving the EU: Common Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: Whether the rules of the common fisheries policy will apply to the UK during any transition period in the event that the UK leaves the EU.
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): We are seeking a comprehensive free trade agreement and trade would continue as usual during the transition period. The right hon. Gentleman is wrong to say that we would not have a seat at the table. He is familiar with fisheries negotiations and knows that they are annual events, whether we are negotiating with EU member states at December Council, with EU-Norway or at coastal states meetings. We will become an independent coastal state on the day we leave the European Union in March 2019.
Leaving the EU: Common Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: Whether the rules of the common fisheries policy will apply to the UK during any transition period in the event that the UK leaves the EU.
David James Duguid (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the Government’s commitment to listen to the views of the food sector and to ensure that it has a strong voice in the EU exit negotiations. Does the Minister share my view that the interests both of Scottish fishermen and of those in the other devolved nations must not be sacrificed during the negotiations?
Leaving the EU: Common Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Questions: Whether the rules of the common fisheries policy will apply to the UK during any transition period in the event that the UK leaves the EU.
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much agree with my hon. Friend and I know that many Scottish Conservative MPs have worked closely with Scottish industry on the issue. The fishing industry is very important in Scotland. Roughly half of the industry is located there, and sectors such as the pelagic sector, which targets mackerel, the largest fish species that we target in this country, are of incredible economic importance. I reassure my hon. Friend that I regularly meet fishing industry leaders in Scotland to discuss their concerns.
Leaving the EU: Common Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Transportation
Questions: Whether the rules of the common fisheries policy will apply to the UK during any transition period in the event that the UK leaves the EU.
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I join the hon. Lady in offering sincere condolences to the family of the crew member who sadly lost his life with the loss of the Solstice in the west country. She will be aware that this issue is covered by the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, but I have had the opportunity to discuss the matter with my colleague the shipping Minister, and I know that the marine accident investigation unit will carry out an investigation in the normal way. In addition, and to respond to the points the hon. Lady has raised, he has asked the marine accident investigation unit to consider whether we have adequately learned the lessons from previous accidents—which, as she said, have some similarities—and whether there are wider trends on which we ought to reflect and change policy.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady raises a very important issue. She will be aware, of course, that the Food Standards Agency is answerable to the Department of Health and questions of mergers and acquisitions are matters for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. However, these were deeply concerning allegations and the whole House will want to ensure that they are properly investigated, to ensure that the highest standards of food safety are observed in all our processing plants.