argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Food Producers: Overseas Marketing — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on (a) promoting and (b) supporting UK food producers in marketing their produce overseas.
Robert Goodwill (Conservative, Centre-right): Geographical indications are important not only for producers but so that consumers know they are getting the real thing. It is important that we get that protection in our negotiations with the EU through the implementation period while, at the same time, talking to other trading partners around the world who may have different systems. We need to ensure that those systems dovetail closely with ours.
Food Producers: Overseas Marketing — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on (a) promoting and (b) supporting UK food producers in marketing their produce overseas.
Robert Goodwill (Conservative, Centre-right): We are keen to export seafood around the world. Brown crab from my constituency is exported to China, whelks are exported to South Korea, and I hope that the Americans will enjoy even more of our seafood and other products when we leave the EU and can negotiate those trade agreements around the world.
Food Producers: Overseas Marketing — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on (a) promoting and (b) supporting UK food producers in marketing their produce overseas.
Robert Goodwill (Conservative, Centre-right): In a no-deal situation, we would wish to set up our own scheme and to negotiate with our friends across the channel to ensure some degree of co-operation, but I stress that no deal is not an option I would want to support. We need to get a deal, and we need to get it over the line. If, like me, Opposition Members had voted for the deal on the three occasions it came before the House, we would have left the European Union on 29 March and we would be in a much better situation for UK producers.
Tree Planting — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his efforts in helping to achieve our wider target. As I have explained, we are working hard to make our current schemes much more flexible. We will also be introducing the woodland carbon guarantee—£50 million in the Budget—and we launched the £10 million urban tree challenge fund just a few weeks ago.
Tree Planting — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): We have set out a clear target of planting 11 million trees in this Parliament. We are at 3.6 million now and on the trajectory to achieve that target of 11 million, so I assure the hon. Lady that we are working in that direction. We have also set out strong aspirations to increase our woodland cover from 10% to 12% within the 25-year environment plan. We have stretching targets and we will move further forward.
Leaving the EU: Food Shortages — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government have been undertaking extensive work to prepare for a no-deal scenario for the past two years, to ensure that trade continues to operate smoothly from the day we leave. We have long-established relationships with industry, and we are working closely with key stakeholders to prepare for all scenarios. The UK has a high level of food security, built on diverse sources, and this will continue to be the case when we leave the EU.
Leaving the EU: Food Shortages — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: International Affairs
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady has ruined a perfectly reasonable question by exaggerating. Of course we are preparing for every eventuality. As we have said already in these questions, a deal is the best outcome, and we all have a responsibility to help deliver that. We are preparing for all outcomes.
Leaving the EU: Food Shortages — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman can be assured that I have regular meetings—each week—with the main stakeholders in the food industry to prepare for no deal. We are looking at all eventualities. Primarily, we are looking at how we can ensure the flow of trade; that is our vital priority.
Agri-Environment Payments — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Yesterday, the Rural Payments Agency announced that it will make payments next month to all those who have been waiting on the historical revenue payments, and therefore every farmer who has been taking part in environmental and countryside stewardship schemes, which deliver important benefits for our environment, will receive the money that they deserve.
Agri-Environment Payments — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Abimbola Afolami (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Secretary of State for that answer, because many farmers in my constituency have regularly complained to me about the delays in countryside stewardship scheme payments. Will he expand on that answer for those who, in some instances, have had to wait more than 600 days for payments?
Agri-Environment Payments — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is a brilliant advocate for Hertfordshire farmers and indeed for workers across the English countryside. He is absolutely right: past performance has not been good enough. That is why I am so pleased that the RPA’s chief executive, Paul Caldwell, will make sure that all back payments are cleared next month.
Agri-Environment Payments — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady is a superb advocate for the farmers of upper Teesdale, County Durham and England, and it is not too late for her to cross the House. She makes a fair point, and I will look into it.
Agri-Environment Payments — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Neil Quentin Gordon Parish (Conservative, Centre-right): Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Bim Afolami), as we leave the European Union we will build up more and more environmentally friendly agricultural policy, so stewardship schemes will be more important than ever. There has been a loss of faith in them, and I am worried about the future programme, because farmers really do not like the complexity and have waited far too long for their payments.
Agri-Environment Payments — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes a fair point; the schemes have been bedevilled by unnecessary complexity in the past. It is critical that as we leave the European Union and have new environmental land-management schemes, they are both simpler and more effective in supporting farmers in the wonderful work that they do.
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): We have strengthened the national planning policy framework to make it clear that all development within its scope should achieve net gains for biodiversity. We have consulted on proposals to mandate biodiversity net gain for development, and will use the forthcoming environment Bill to legislate for a net gain system.
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): Large infrastructure projects may require an environmental impact assessment of the likely effects. In the case of nationally significant infrastructure projects, the EEA forms a part of the planning process and the development consent order. I assure my hon. Friend that each consenting regime has appropriate enforcement mechanisms.
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Robert Alexander Courts (Conservative, Centre-right): West Oxfordshire wants the design of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds garden village to enhance, not harm, the environment. What guidance have Ministers given to developers on how garden villages can enhance things such as wildlife corridors and biodiversity in new developments?
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): We have updated the planning guidance for the planning policy. As we set out in the consultation, we intend to develop in the environment Bill an update of metrics for biodiversity and wider environmental net gains. We will provide practical tools to support developers and, critically, local planning authorities to achieve better environmental outcomes for every development.
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): Hopefully, the hon. Lady will be swift in her praise for the work we are doing with the forthcoming environment Bill. As the species champion for bitterns, which are literally booming as we speak, I know that this issue matters. We want to take more proactive approaches to how we protect species. I am not sure whether a swift box in every single house is the right thing, as opposed to all sorts of other things such as beetle hotels—there is a wide variety—but we need to make sure that we encourage a wide range of biodiversity for birds, for wildlife and for the protection of nature for future generations.
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sure that we can work that in with the question on developers and biodiversity, Mr Speaker. I recently responded to a written question and a letter from the hon. Gentleman. Perhaps he can look at that first before we consider a further meeting.
Wildlife Habitats — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Caroline Alice Spelman (Conservative, Centre-right): My constituents are up in arms about the felling of trees and vegetation to make way for HS2 during the nesting season. Will my hon. Friend confirm the Government’s commitment to biodiversity net gain for new developments?
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Pilot Scheme — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: Abattoirs and food processors in my Gordon constituency are worried about not only seasonal labour but permanent labour and are deeply concerned by the approach taken by Migration Advisory Committee. Is my right hon. Friend working closely with the Home Office to preserve the food sector’s labour access?
Robert Goodwill (Conservative, Centre-right): Absolutely. We understand how big an issue this is. Some 28% of those working in food and drink manufacturing, including fish processing, are from the European Union. That is 106,000 people. It is important that they understand that, whichever way we leave the European Union, including no deal, they will still be able to come here to work and participate in these important industries.
Tree Planting — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): In November 2018 we announced that we will consult on a new English tree strategy, setting out how we will accelerate woodland creation to reach our aspiration of increasing woodland cover in England from 10% to 12% by 2060. The consultation on the English tree strategy will be launched later this year, and our recently reappointed tree champion is leading our engagement on this.
Rare and Native Breeds — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): I declare my interest in that my family are long-standing breeders of both the British Lop pig and pedigree South Devon cattle, but genetic diversity is critical to maintaining resilience in our livestock sectors, and protecting genetic resources is a primary responsibility for DEFRA. Will the Minister therefore agree to convene a meeting at DEFRA of representatives of our native and rare breeds to discuss what support would be appropriate for them under future policy?
Rare and Native Breeds — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): This is all very encouraging, but I must say that as we are discussing rare breeds, I feel a great sense of personal sadness that we are not joined this morning by the right hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Sir Nicholas Soames), who knows a thing or two about these matters.
Rare and Native Breeds — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Victoria Mary Boswell Prentis (Conservative, Centre-right): I probably should also declare an interest in South Devon cattle, as my family have bred them for generations as well. However, I wanted to ask the Minister about rare wildlife, if I might segue into the matter. Given all his work on general licences recently, what communications has he had with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds about sites of special scientific interest and the work it does culling birds in those areas?
Rare and Native Breeds — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Robert Goodwill (Conservative, Centre-right): It is important, particularly for ground-nesting birds, that other bird species that can predate on them and damage their nests are controlled. The RSPB carries out that work on land that it controls, and I hope that it will continue doing so to protect those particular rare species.
Badger Culling Programme — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): During 2018, badger control operations in 32 areas of England were all successful in meeting their targets. According to Natural England’s chief scientist, the results show that "industry-led badger control continues to deliver the level of effectiveness required by the policy to be confident of achieving disease control benefits" Assessments of the effectiveness of badger control are published annually on gov.uk.
Badger Culling Programme — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. When it comes to dealing with bovine TB—a terrible disease that damages the lives of cattle and the livelihoods of farmers—we need to consider all steps that are appropriate. Culling and vaccination are both tools in our armoury.
Clean Air Strategy — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on delivering the clean air strategy 2019.
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with his counterpart at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Discussions are also held at an official level about delivering the clean air strategy and relevant provisions that we hope to bring forward in the forthcoming environment Bill. Local authorities will continue to play a vital role in delivering improvements to the air that we all breathe.
Clean Air Strategy — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on delivering the clean air strategy 2019.
Gregory William Hands (Conservative, Centre-right): One local council that could do a much better job on air quality is Labour-controlled Hammersmith and Fulham, by reopening Hammersmith bridge. The diversion of traffic through Fulham and Chelsea is horrendous. Will the Minister join me in calling on the council and the Mayor of London to introduce proper air quality monitoring, particularly on Fulham High Street, to properly assess the catastrophic impact of the council’s decision?
Clean Air Strategy — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on delivering the clean air strategy 2019.
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): It is fair to say that air quality across the country is improving, but these sorts of congestion hotspots are really damaging that progress. I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend that the bridge should be opened as quickly as possible.
Leaving the EU: Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
David James Duguid (Conservative, Centre-right): Will my right hon. Friend confirm his commitment to boosting investment in the fisheries sector to help with expansion outside the common fisheries policy but also to promote export opportunities and the UK domestic market for Scottish seafood after Brexit?
Leaving the EU: Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Absolutely I will. The UK Government will work with the Scottish Government to make sure that we have investment in port facilities in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, and that we have the marketing budget necessary to ensure that the power of our United Kingdom is harnessed to help Scots fishermen and, indeed, Scottish fish processors.
Leaving the EU: Fisheries Policy — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Agriculture
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I have promised no such thing. What I have promised is to ensure that we are out of the European Union and out of the common fisheries policy, in stark contrast to the Scottish National party, which wants to keep us in the European Union and in the common fisheries policy. The Scottish National party and the Scottish Government claim to stand up for Scotland, but at every turn they prefer the politics of grievance and the ideology of separation to the interests of Scotland’s fishermen and Scotland’s citizens.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Government Operations
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I am delighted to announce that Tamara Finkelstein OBE has been appointed as the new permanent secretary at DEFRA. She is the fourth woman in succession to be permanent secretary at this Department. With respect to the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) , I do think it is a very, very good thing if important institutions in this country are, wherever possible, led by women.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Energy
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Those are important points, well made. Bringing forward the target by which we get rid of petrol and diesel cars is always kept under review. At the moment, we believe that the target is achievable and stretching, but we will of course keep it under review as more progress is made. On renewable energy, we lead the world in offshore wind, and we have also done a huge amount on solar energy, in particular—99% of the solar power generated in this country has been generated since 2010. I pay tribute to Ministers who served in the coalition Government between 2010 and 2015 for their work in this area.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: When visiting the local Co-op shop last night on my way home from Parliament, I noticed that shoppers were being presented with bags emblazoned with the words, “100% compostable”. These bags were perfectly serviceable for the job that they were asked to do. Given that this technology is now available, is it not time that we banned the use of single-use plastic bags and bags for life to help the environment?
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): The environmental impact of bags, including bags for life, can be reduced simply through reusing them. We will be publishing our response on extending the carrier bag charge to all retailers very soon, so we are not currently considering stopping the use of plastic bags altogether. In our bio-economy strategy, we have committed to issuing a call for evidence, because it is important to note that these biodegradable bags need careful treatment when they come to the end of their life.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: When visiting the local Co-op shop last night on my way home from Parliament, I noticed that shoppers were being presented with bags emblazoned with the words, “100% compostable”. These bags were perfectly serviceable for the job that they were asked to do. Given that this technology is now available, is it not time that we banned the use of single-use plastic bags and bags for life to help the environment?; Reforesting is an important part of the Conservative agenda on the environment. Does the Minister agree that the Woodland Trust’s Smithills estate is a key part of that strategy?; An investigation published last week by The Guardian, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and “Channel 4 News” suggested that at least 3,000 deaths each year could be avoided if agricultural ammonia emissions were halved. The Secretary of State said that he wanted to close the current loopholes by 2025. May I suggest that it would be a marvellous legacy for him as he leaves the Department —which he presumably will, whatever happens today—to introduce a comprehensive ammonia reduction strategy?
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s valuable advice. She is right: when it comes to dealing with air quality, we need to deal with ammonia emissions. We have a number of policies that we will implement as part of our environment Bill.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-06-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: When visiting the local Co-op shop last night on my way home from Parliament, I noticed that shoppers were being presented with bags emblazoned with the words, “100% compostable”. These bags were perfectly serviceable for the job that they were asked to do. Given that this technology is now available, is it not time that we banned the use of single-use plastic bags and bags for life to help the environment?; Reforesting is an important part of the Conservative agenda on the environment. Does the Minister agree that the Woodland Trust’s Smithills estate is a key part of that strategy?; An investigation published last week by The Guardian, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and “Channel 4 News” suggested that at least 3,000 deaths each year could be avoided if agricultural ammonia emissions were halved. The Secretary of State said that he wanted to close the current loopholes by 2025. May I suggest that it would be a marvellous legacy for him as he leaves the Department —which he presumably will, whatever happens today—to introduce a comprehensive ammonia reduction strategy?
Mary Josephine Robinson (Conservative, Centre-right): The River Mersey, which originates in Stockport and flows through my constituency on its journey to Liverpool, has been named and shamed by Greenpeace as proportionately more polluted than the great Pacific garbage patch. That follows a University of Manchester study showing that microplastics in the river bed sediment were higher than in any other environment. What work is the Department doing to address the issue of microplastics entering the waterways, and what pressure is being put on the industry to address it?