theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_405
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_405

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost was of each additional order border control post constructed in the UK as a result of the UK's departure from the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: Through the Port Infrastructure Fund (PIF), the Government provided grants totalling nearly £200 million to 41 ports to construct infrastructure required for import controls following the UK leaving the EU.

Information on ports which received funding from the Ports Infrastructure Fund is  available on GOV.UK: Port Infrastructure Fund - successful applicants - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_406
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_406

Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to incentivise manufacturers to design electrical products with longer lifespans to support (a) sustainability and (b) the circular economy. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy. We have convened the Circular Economy Taskforce, composed of experts from industry, academia, and civil society, to help develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. The Strategy will be accompanied by a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the Government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis, including a roadmap for electricals and electronic equipment.

While led by Defra, development of the strategy is a cross-government effort based on close collaboration between departments, including the Department for Business and Trade. Therefore, the strategy will reflect the needs and insights of industry leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders within the sector while improving lives up and down the country, growing our economy, and protecting our environment for generations to come.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_407
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_407

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what measures his Department plans to introduce in the next phase of the Landscape Recovery programme; and how these measures will support farmers in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Daniel Zeichner: As a core element of the Environmental Land Management schemes, Landscape Recovery is uniquely placed to provide large-scale, long-term benefits for nature, delivering improvements to biodiversity, carbon emissions, water quality, air quality, flood resilience and food security.

We have been gathering feedback and evaluating how the Landscape Recovery scheme is working, including from those projects in development near to and within the Fylde and Lancashire areas – namely the Brock & Calder Landscape Recovery Project and The West Pennines More Nature Partnership.

Landscape Recovery projects that were awarded funding in rounds one and two are continuing, and projects in the first round are moving into the delivery phase.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_408
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_408

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to improve sustainable drainage since July 2024. \p Emma Hardy: This Government is committed to requiring standardised Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new developments. These should be to designs that cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits, reduce run off and help to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity. It is also important to ensure appropriate adoption and maintenance arrangements are in place.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_409
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_409

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Fens Reservoir at Chatteris on Chatteris Airfield. \p Emma Hardy: Anglian Water is responsible for the development of the Fens reservoir. Proposals will be consulted on and will follow the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure. A traffic and transport assessment is currently underway and further information will be shared with communities as part of the next phase of consultation this Autumn.

Anglian Water plans to submit the application for a Development Consent Order in 2027. After which determination of the application by the Secretary of State is expected in 2028/29 and should Development Consent be granted, construction of the reservoir could start in 2029/30.

A socio-economic strategy for the project is being developed with input from the local authorities and community and includes assessing the number of jobs that could be created both during construction and operation.

Anglian Water is carrying out extensive land referencing, and the company’s approach is to seek to acquire land by negotiation, as far as possible. In support of this approach, the project has established a ‘Land Engagement Forum’, established in 2023 to complement the ongoing and direct engagement offered to all land and property owners.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_410
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_410

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the volume of trade is that is required to be processed through each additional border control post constructed in the UK as a result of the UK exiting the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra does not hold information on what volumes of trade are required to be processed via individual border control posts due to the UK leaving the EU.

The Government has worked with commercial ports to ensure that the infrastructure required to facilitate trade is in place, while also respecting the discretion of port operators and other stakeholders to make decisions on a commercial basis about the use of their infrastructure and facilities.

Further information on which ports are designated as BCPs, is available on GOV.UK. Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_411
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_411

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of local abattoir closures on small-scale livestock farmers; and what steps his Department is taking to support the viability of local meat processing infrastructure in rural areas. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government recognises the vital role smaller abattoirs, and the accompanying infrastructure play in supporting local livestock producers, sustaining rare and native breeds, providing skilled employment opportunities and maintaining a resilient, competitive food supply chain.

Defra is aware of the potential impacts local abattoir closures can have on small-scale livestock farmers, including reduced access to slaughter facilities and increased costs. While the wider meat processing sector remains resilient, we understand the unique pressures faced by some smaller operators.

To support the viability of smaller abattoirs, Defra continues to work closely with sector stakeholders including through the Small Abattoirs Working Group and the Small Abattoirs Task and Finish Group. These groups help identify challenges faced by the sector and support the development of practical solutions to improve sustainability.

It is recognised that there are many different and varied reasons why abattoirs close, and that closures can impact the access livestock producers have to local slaughter facilities. While the Government does not intervene in individual business decisions, it is committed to working with the sector to help, where possible, mitigate pressures abattoirs face.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_412
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_412

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Land Use Framework will be updated to include details on wildfires. \p Mary Creagh: The Government consulted on land use in England earlier this year. While it did not specifically ask about wildfires, the consultation included questions on how we could better support landowners and land managers to adapt to climate change impacts. The consultation responses are being analysed and will inform the Land Use Framework that will be published in due course.

In 2024 and 2025, the Government has funded a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to assess what additional national wildfire capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to wildfire risk, and to ensure coordination of approaches across sectors.

Defra regularly engages with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and other Government departments in addition to bodies such as the National Fire Chiefs Council and the England and Wales Wildfire Forum, to monitor and review sector-led improvements and mitigations. Defra also encourages landowners and land managers to undertake wildfire risk assessments and consider mitigating actions as part of good quality wildfire management plans.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_413
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_413

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of installing new flood mitigations in Maulden, Bedfordshire. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) recognises the impact of the flooding that residents of Maulden experienced following the severe weather events of 2024. Following events such as these, the immediate focus moves to recovery; Risk Management Authorities in the area have been and continue to work hard to progress this work.

Central Bedfordshire Council are leading flood risk studies in Maulden and nearby in Clophill to identify potential options to reduce flood risk in the future. These studies are being funded by the local Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and are expected to complete this financial year.

Whilst this work progresses, the EA and Central Bedfordshire Council, alongside other partners have worked to implement additional maintenance works in Maulden aimed at improving local flood resilience and the EA has offered support to the local Flood Action Group.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_414
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_414

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 47556 on Animal Housing, what his Department's planned timeline is for sharing the findings of their review into banning the use of cages. \p Daniel Zeichner: This is a multifaceted issue with many factors that need to be carefully considered.

The Department has initiated a series of meetings with key stakeholders as part of the development of an overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_415
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_415

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, whether his Department plans to consult (a) farmers and (b) industry stakeholders on the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive before announcing further details. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_416
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_416

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers are (a) enrolled in the Higher Level Stewardship scheme and (b) expected to receive an uplift in payments from January 2025 in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Fylde constituency. \p Daniel Zeichner: I can confirm that there are 164 live Higher Level Stewardship-related agreements that fall within the Lancashire County that should receive an uplift. This figure is spread across 16 constituencies in Lancashire and includes constituencies (Morecambe and Lunesdale & Southport) that are spread across county lines. None fall within the Fylde constituency.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_417
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_417

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Land Use Framework will be applied retrospectively to existing Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project applications. \p Mary Creagh: When the Land Use Framework is published, it will set out the evidence, data and tools needed to help safeguard our most productive agricultural land and identify the best areas for nature’s recovery. The Framework will be a guide for decision makers on how we make the most of what our diverse landscapes have to offer, and its evidence base has underpinned wider Government reform, including the Strategic Spatial Energy plan. It will not bind decision makers or prescribe land uses in specific places.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_418
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_418

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will include PM2.5 in the UK Air quality alerts. \p Emma Hardy: PM2.5 is one of the pollutants already included in the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI). The department is currently in the process of making improvements to our air quality alert system to more closely align to the DAQI
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_419
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_419

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what the start date of the new Higher Tier scheme will be; and how farmers can apply. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra will open the rolling application window for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) later in the year. Currently, CSHT is by invitation only following contact by Natural England or the Forestry Commission. This ensures that bespoke pre-application advice is provided to support those invited. We have published information that sets out what you can do now to prepare to apply for CSHT on GOV.UK. (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: preview guidance - GOV.UK).
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_420
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_420

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans for the Land Use Framework to be afforded material consideration in relevant planning policy documents. \p Mary Creagh: By law, planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

What constitutes a material consideration is very widely defined and it is for the local planning authority to determine what is a relevant consideration based on the circumstances of a particular case. The evidence base that underpinned the Land Use Consultation, and feedback on it, will inform the Government’s wider strategic planning agenda.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_421
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_421

Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government support for independent veterinary practices. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently investigating the companion animal veterinary sector. Defra will consider any recommendations from the CMA once their work has concluded.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_422
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_422

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the Land Use Framework and the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan will work together to inform decision-making on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. \p Mary Creagh: The Government consulted on land use in England earlier this year, the outcomes of which will inform the publication of the Land Use Framework later this year. The analysis underpinning the Land Use Consultation for England has fed into the development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan’s methodology. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Defra will continue to work closely to ensure that the SSEP and the Land Use Framework work together cohesively alongside other sector plans.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_423
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_423

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to re-issue guidance to local authorities on requests from owners who have exempted their XL Bully dogs to keep their pets in social housing. \p Daniel Zeichner: Guidance on the ban on XL Bullies is available on GOV.UK

In relation to keeping XL Bully dogs in social housing, or other rented accommodation, it is for the housing provider to decide their own policies on whether they permit tenants to keep exempted banned breed types.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_424
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_424

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 38171 on Farmers: Lancashire, how much and what proportion of the Farming Recovery Fund has been allocated to support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Farming Recovery Fund provided a recovery payment for farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage from notably high main river flooding following Storms Babet and Henk or fall within an area which we have determined to be in receipt of exceptionally high rainfall during October 2023 to March 2024.

Lancashire did not fall into an eligible area.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_425
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_425

Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to implement the proposed land use framework. \p Mary Creagh: The Government ran a consultation on land use in England from January to April this year. The responses to this consultation, and feedback from supporting workshops, are being analysed. These responses and outputs will inform the preparation of the Land Use Framework, which will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_426
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_426

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Rt. hon and hon. Members on the Climate and Nature Bill since 24 January 2025. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. Accordingly, we have engaged extensively with Roz Savage MP on the proposed Climate and Nature Bill and agreed how we can take forward the spirit and substance of the Bill. The minister responsible for the Bill area, Minister Creagh, met with Roz Savage on 27 January to discuss the government’s approach to taking forward the spirit of the Bill.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_427
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_427

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people in the UK have signed up to receive air pollution alerts from UK-AIR; and what mechanisms he is using to monitor the effectiveness of the air quality alert system at (a) reaching the intended audience and (b) meeting its other goals. \p Emma Hardy: 450 people are currently signed up to receive air pollution alerts from UK Air. Metrics to monitor the effectiveness of the new system are being considered as part of the design process.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_428
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_428

Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the projected funding gap for peatland restoration in the Great North Bog region between 2025 and 2028 on (a) rural employment and (b) environmental outcomes. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recognises the importance of England’s peatlands, and in our manifesto, we committed to expanding nature-rich habitats such as wetlands and peat bogs. This will contribute to ensuring nature’s recovery, one of Defra’s five priorities.

Peatland restoration is currently funded via the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. After this ends, we intend to work with partners, farmers and land managers to enable the delivery of peatland restoration, with continued support through agri-environmental schemes that provide long-term funding for restoration projects throughout the country.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_429
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_429

Sir Alec Shelbrooke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support community groups to (a) tackle littering and (b) promote environmental cleanliness. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is proud to support and endorse national clean-up initiatives such as the Great British Spring Clean, and the Great British Beach Clean, and we will continue to use our influence to encourage as many people and businesses as possible to participate in these types of events again.

Local councils are often able to support community groups such as by providing equipment for litter picking. They may also be able to arrange for the collection and disposal of any rubbish collected by these groups.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_430
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_430

Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure continuity of funding for peatland restoration between the closure of the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme and the full implementation of the Landscape Recovery Scheme. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recognises the importance of England’s peatlands, and in our manifesto, we committed to expanding nature-rich habitats such as wetlands and peat bogs. This will contribute to ensuring nature’s recovery, one of Defra’s five priorities. We have ambitions to restore hundreds of thousands of hectares of peatlands across the country, and we are working to ensure that we have the most effective mechanisms in place to go further than we have before.

Peatland restoration is currently funded via the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. We will continue to work with partners, farmers and land managers to enable the delivery of peat restoration, supported by agri-environmental schemes that provide long-term funding to support restoration projects. We are providing advice and guidance to enable partners to transition to new funding arrangements.

Private finance will also be vital to meeting our peatland restoration ambitions. To support peatland restoration, the Government is implementing a range of policies that will mobilise private investment. These include working with the IUCN to attract investment through the Peatland Code.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_431
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_431

Sir Alec Shelbrooke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve the enforcement of littering. \p Mary Creagh: Local councils are responsible for taking enforcement action against littering. They can prosecute those suspected of littering which could result in a criminal record and a fine of up to £2500. Instead of prosecuting, councils may decide to issue a fixed penalty (on-the-spot) fine of up to £500.

Advisory guidance on littering enforcement is available at: Litter and refuse: code of practice - GOV.UK. We are considering the benefits of placing this guidance on a statutory footing. Any announcement will be made in the usual way.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_432
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_432

Sir Alec Shelbrooke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle littering in tourist hotspots; and how these steps are tailored to the influx of visitors during peak seasons. \p Mary Creagh: Local councils are responsible for keeping public land clear of litter and refuse. The standards that they are expected to meet are set out in the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, which is available at: Litter and refuse: code of practice - GOV.UK.

Councils will be best placed to understand littering patterns in their area. The code provides guidance on managing hotspots and seasonal variations in tourist areas. It explains that councils may need to increase cleansing activities and enforcement patrols to cope with an influx of people during peak periods.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_433
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_433

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what steps he plans to take to ensure that British produce is prioritised in catering contracts; and whether this will include steps to support local farms in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Daniel Zeichner: The national procurement policy statement sets out requirements for Government contracts, including food, and favouring high-quality products that we believe British producers, including those in Fylde, and Lancashire more broadly, are well-placed to supply. This will aid our ambition for half of food supplied into public sector catering to be from local producers or those certified to higher environmental standards.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_434
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_434

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, when routine checks on (a) agri-foods and (b) imports from the EU of (i) milk, (ii) dairy, (iii) eggs and (iv) other products will end. \p Daniel Zeichner: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. Once the agreement is in place, routine SPS border checks for goods in scope will be eliminated, so fresh produce can hit supermarket shelves more quickly, with less paperwork and fewer costs.

Our aim is to start talks straight away and we want to remove barriers as soon as possible.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_435
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_435

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, when (a) fresh sausages and burgers, (b) certain shellfish from domestic waters and (c) seed potatoes will be able to resume trade to the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. British products that were banned under the last Government’s Brexit deal can resume trade to the EU once the common SPS area is in place. Trade in products such as fresh sausages and burgers, some shellfish from domestic waters, and seed potatoes will be able to resume, increasing markets for these goods and stimulating jobs.

Our aim is to start talks straight away and we want to remove barriers as soon as possible.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_436
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_436

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of water consumption by data storage centres on (a) consumer and (b) agricultural water supplies. \p Emma Hardy: Datacentre water consumption varies considerably based on their size and cooling method. There is currently no requirement for data centres to report on their water consumption, so an accurate assessment of their impact on water supplies to consumers and agriculture is difficult. We are working with datacentres and their trade associations to understand their impact and identify opportunities to improve reporting and water efficiencies in their design.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_437
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_437

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation agreement includes provisions for mutual recognition of (a) agri-input standards, (b) fertilisers and (c) pesticides. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Technical Barriers to Trade chapter of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides the structures to address non-tariff barriers for businesses. Annex 14 to the TCA recognises the equivalence of organic regulations between EU and UK, facilitating trade in organic products. The TCA does not otherwise make binding provision for mutual recognition of technical regulations in relation to agri-food standards, pesticides and fertilisers.

On 19 May, the UK and the EU agreed the principles for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers. The agreement will cover SPS standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules related to food labelling, organics, and key marketing standards and compositional standards – as well as pesticides. This will further bring down costs for UK businesses by removing the majority of regulatory trade barriers to agrifood trade.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_438
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_438

Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the the potential impact of the potential closure of the Vapormatic site in Exeter on the supply chain in that sector. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government recognises the importance of a fully functioning supply chain but does not normally intervene in the decisions made by individual companies.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_439
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_439

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to protect the UK food supply in the event of a (a) cyber or (b) physical attack. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Food Sector is one of the UK's 14 Critical National Infrastructure sectors. Defra works closely with industry, the Cabinet Office and other Lead Government Departments (LGD) to monitor risks and ensure preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Defra assesses the potential impacts of cyber and physical risks to the food supply chain as detailed in the National Security Risk Assessment (NRSA) and reflected in the National Risk Register (NRR). Defra works with Cabinet Office, as leads for the NRR, and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, as the LGD for cybersecurity along with other Government Departments to ensure the range of potential impacts on the food system from these types of risks are considered in the dynamic risk assessment process.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_440
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_440

Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to respond to Eunomia's report entitled Sky Lanterns, Single-Use Barbecues and Helium Balloons Risks and Mitigation Options, published on 9 February 2024. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is currently not planning a formal response to Eunomia's report on sky lanterns, single-use barbecues and helium balloons. This report was commissioned by the previous administration.

Local authorities already have powers to apply local controls to restrict or ban the use of sky lanterns, balloons or disposable barbecues on council or public land.

There are also existing powers in legislation which can be used to regulate and prohibit the lighting of fires on access land in National Landscapes and National Parks.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_441
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_441

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, when measures on taking pets on holiday to the EU will take effect. \p Daniel Zeichner: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. Taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time you travel, you will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

Our aim is to start talks straight away and we want to remove barriers as soon as possible.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_442
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_442

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice entitled Government to crack down on waste incinerators with stricter standards for new builds, published on 30 December 2024, what are the strict new local and environmental conditions that new waste incinerators will be required to meet. \p Mary Creagh: The Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note and an accompanying statement, set out that the Government will only back new Energy from Waste projects which:

We are considering how to reflect in the new set of national policies for development management to be developed. The Government has consulted on revisions to the National Policy Statements that support decisions on major energy infrastructure to reflect these conditions. The consultation ran from 24 April 2025 to 29 May 2025.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_443
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_443

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that bluetongue regulatory regimes in England and Wales are adequately joined-up to support farmers on the border who need to move stock between England and Wales to access land and markets. \p Daniel Zeichner: Disease control is a devolved matter, and it is for the devolved administrations to assess their disease risks and respond accordingly. However, Defra and the Devolved Governments work closely together with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response to disease prevention, mitigation, and control across the UK. A key forum for this is the Animal Disease Policy Group (ADPG), which is a UK wide policy decision making group.

Defra and Devolved Governments also engage closely with industry to inform policy development and implementation through the Livestock Core Group.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_444
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_444

Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the Circular Economy Taskforce helps to encourage people to repair and reuse. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy. We have convened the Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising experts from industry, academia, and civil society, to help develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. The strategy will be accompanied by a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis.

Defra recognises that repair and reuse are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. The Circular Economy Taskforce will consider the evidence for appropriate action right across the economy throughout the development of the Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_445
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_445

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many 1 in 100 year flooding events have occurred in Bedfordshire since 2010. \p Emma Hardy: Data on the return period (such as “1 in 100 years”) of recent events is not available as flooding is never consistent and affects communities differently each time. Environment Agency (EA) records show that since 2010, there have been around 10 notable flood events where property flooding occurred, these covered at least 22 communities in Bedfordshire.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_446
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_446

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) scientific experts, (b) NGOs, (c) industry representatives and (d) other stakeholders he has consulted as part of the development of the negotiating mandate for the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. \p Emma Hardy: The next Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention will be taking place on the 3 - 7 November 2025. Working documents and proposals for negotiation at this meeting have not yet been published but will be in due course. Officials in Defra will review documents when they are published and analyse the potential merits of proposals on an individual basis. Officials will also conduct any necessary external outreach on proposals ahead of the Conference.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_447
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_447

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle the octopus bloom in Cornwall following discussions on 20 May 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra, Government scientists (Cefas), the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and local Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) met on 20 May to discuss this phenomenon, the evidence, the impacts on the crab and lobster stocks and potential actions.

Since this meeting Defra has commissioned a report from Cefas on the background, available stock science and potential causes of the bloom. The Devon and Severn IFCA have issued guidance on the regulations regarding fishing for octopus. A meeting with industry is due to take place on 6 June,
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_448
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_448

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to allocate additional funding to the Environment Agency to support the enforcement of waste crime legislation. \p Emma Hardy: Defra works closely with the Environment Agency to ensure it is equipped to carry out its functions effectively and deliver for the public and the environment.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_449
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_449

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which additional border control posts have been constructed in the UK due to the UK's departure from the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: The following BCPs have been newly constructed since the UK left the EU: Dover Bastion, Harwich, Heysham, Holyhead (Welsh Government project), Liverpool 2, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Purfleet, Sevington, Tyne.

Further information on the designation of ports is available on GOV.UK.

Animals, animal products and HRFNAO imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_450
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_450

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing in-ovo sexing technologies within UK hatcheries. \p Daniel Zeichner: We are firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards.

In its 2024 ‘Opinion on alternatives to culling newly hatched chicks in the egg and poultry industries’, the Animal Welfare Committee considered a range of technologies that could help end the routine culling of male chicks by identifying or determining the sex of chick embryos before hatching. In recent years there has been rapid global progress in the development of these technologies, and we welcome the UK egg industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing technology.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_451
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_451

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Avian Influenza Prevention Zone housing measures lifted, published on 12 May 2025, when the General Licence 45 for gamebird release in and near to special protection areas in England will be reissued. \p Daniel Zeichner: There are currently no plans to reissue General Licence 45 for gamebird release on and near to Special Protection Areas in England. Anyone intending to release gamebirds on or near a Special Protection Area should apply to Natural England for an individual licence.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_452
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_452

Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the flood risk and coastal erosion risk management budget has been allocated to nature based solutions in the current financial year. \p Emma Hardy: Many projects in the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Capital Investment Programme deliver a combination of nature-based solutions (NBS) and hard defences, and we do not explicitly capture the expenditure on NBS separately. Due to this, we are unable to separate spend on NBS into each financial year.

For the years available, the total investment across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Capital Investment Programme from April 2021 to March 2024 was £3.5 billion, with approximately £40.6 million spent on NBS. The total forecast investment across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Capital Investment Programme for the current financial year, 2025/26, is £1.1 billion, with an estimated £24.8 million allocated for schemes that include NBS.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_453
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_453

Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of the Flood Risk and Coastal Erosion Risk Management budget was spent on nature based solutions in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial year. \p Emma Hardy: Many projects in the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Capital Investment Programme deliver a combination of nature-based solutions (NBS) and hard defences, and we do not explicitly capture the expenditure on NBS separately. Due to this, we are unable to separate spend on NBS into each financial year.

For the years available, the total investment across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Capital Investment Programme from April 2021 to March 2024 was £3.5 billion, with approximately £40.6 million spent on NBS. The total forecast investment across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Capital Investment Programme for the current financial year, 2025/26, is £1.1 billion, with an estimated £24.8 million allocated for schemes that include NBS.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_454
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_454

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, whether his Department has had discussions with local authorities on the new flood zone mapping. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency has regular discussions with Lead Local Flood Authorities and Local Planning Authorities both nationally and locally, including before and after publication of the new flood and coastal erosion risk information.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_455
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_455

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to take legislative steps to regulate bonfires. \p Emma Hardy: At this present time, we are not planning any new measures restricting bonfires. Government guidance on the rules about garden bonfires is available at: https://www.gov.uk/garden-bonfires-rules.