theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_391
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_391

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the condition of chalk streams in Norfolk. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is committed to the protection and restoration of our cherished chalk streams. Recent investment has enabled a comprehensive assessment of chalk streams in Norfolk and additional monitoring. Of the 11 chalk waterbodies in Norfolk, the majority are classified as having moderate ecological status. These classifications are based on a range of pressures, including water quality, hydrological regime, and geomorphological condition. Comprehensive classification data can be accessed via the Catchment Data Explorer: Anglian River Basin District | Catchment Data Explorer

Following this assessment, the Environment Agency (EA) has developed operational plans for Norfolk’s chalk streams, outlining the current condition of the rivers, identifying key pressures, and setting catchment-scale priorities in line with local and national environmental strategies.

The EA is using its regulatory powers and the Asset Management Planning process to deliver a range of measures to ensure water companies reduce water abstraction pressures and improve water treatment on the Rivers Heacham, Ingol, Gaywood and Nar. The EA is also using partnership funding to work with farmers and catchment partners to reduce diffuse pollution risks and deliver habitat improvement projects at both a site and landscape scale. Through the Flood and Coastal Risk Management and Water Environment Improvement Fund we are investing in projects to restore Norfolk’s priority chalk habitats.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_392

Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 43103 on Livestock: Moorland, what sources of (a) qualitative and (b) quantitative data his Department considered when setting the tiers of grazing densities in the Low Grazing Moorland options of the Environmental Land Management schemes. \p Daniel Zeichner: All prospective Environmental Land Management scheme offers have been assessed for their potential impact against a range of environmental and cultural services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. These have included qualitative assessments, drawing upon expert opinion and evidence reviews, as well as quantitative assessments, drawing upon published datasets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_393

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of only including one food producer on the Food Strategy Board on (a) policy and (b) strategy discussions on food production. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a deliberately small group of senior leaders representing important elements and a wealth of experience from across the food system. Its role is to act as a sounding board to stress test ideas and provide advice.

The establishment of the Food Strategy Advisory Board represents just one aspect of our engagement across the vast and complex food supply system. We will conduct a series of targeted stakeholder engagements that will include food producers. Alongside these, we will be using insights other Defra strategies, namely the Farming Roadmap, interconnected with the Land Use Framework and Circular Economy Taskforce. In addition, the Farming Profitability Review will include structured engagement to understand barriers to increasing profitability and make recommendations to Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_394

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of implementing a national beach accessibility framework on (a) public health and (b) the economy; and if he will consider providing funding to improve access to beaches in (i) Torbay and (ii) other deprived coastal areas. \p Emma Hardy: The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure this is safe and appropriate. This is why we have set out our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England, expanding access to the great outdoors.

The Government is also already delivering several policies to increase access to nature including in coastal areas, where we are:

Working to complete the King Charles III England Coast Path which, at around 2,700 miles, will be the longest waymarked and maintained coastal walking route in the world. Over 2,000 miles have now been approved as King Charles III England Coast Path, with over 1,000 miles already open. It will also create 250,000 hectares of new open access land within the coastal margin
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_395

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of phasing out the use of (a) enriched cages and (b) farrowing crates on English farms. \p Daniel Zeichner: We remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The use of cages and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which we are currently considering very carefully.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_396

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the European Commission's document entitled Vision for Agriculture and Food, published on 19 February 2025, if he will hold discussions with animal welfare organisations on the potential merits of implementing the same regulations as proposed in the EU on (a) the phasing out the use of cages for farmed animals and (b) extending UK animal welfare standards to imported products. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Department is engaging with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of our overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more details in due course.

The use of cages and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which we are currently considering very carefully.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally and we have been clear we will protect farmers from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals.

We await the EU Commission proposals with interest.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_397

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will consult on introducing animal welfare standards for farmed fish. \p Daniel Zeichner: I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for North Herefordshire, Ellie Chowns, on 6 March 2025, PQ 34489.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_398

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of a sales ban on imported (a) eggs and (b) egg products produced on farms that use battery cages. \p Daniel Zeichner: Ministers and officials meet regularly to address these important topics. The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally and will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage.

All agri-food products must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. This includes ensuring imported meat products have been slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to our domestic standards.

The Government recognises the concerns about imports produced using methods not permitted in the UK. We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to support economic growth and promote the highest standards of food production.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_399

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were recorded entering the UK via (a) Fishguard (b) Holyhead (c) Cairnryan (d) Birkenhead and (e) other ports in each year since 2023. \p Daniel Zeichner: The table shows the number of equids imported into GB with the port of entry recorded as Birkenhead, Cairnryan, Fishguard, or Holyhead, and the number of equids imported into GB with the port of entry recorded as a port other than those specified.

For the year 2023, there were 355 consignments where the third party did not record the number of equids on the notifications

Arrival Year

Port of Entry

Number of Equids

2023

Birkenhead

-

Cairnryan

5

Fishguard

167

Holyhead

9,911

Other Ports

13,837

2023 Total

23,920

2024

Birkenhead

32

Cairnryan

74

Fishguard

869

Holyhead

12,944

Other Ports

13,934

2024 Total

27,853

2025

Birkenhead

94

Cairnryan

20

Fishguard

580

Holyhead

3,330

Other Ports

4,457

2025 Total

8,481

Grand Total

60,254
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_400

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to require the (a) import and (b) sale of (i) eggs, (ii) pork and (ii) fur to meet UK animal welfare standards. \p Daniel Zeichner: Ministers and officials meet regularly to address these important topics. The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally and will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage.

All agri-food products must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. This includes ensuring imported meat products have been slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to our domestic standards.

The Government recognises the concerns about imports produced using methods not permitted in the UK. We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to support economic growth and promote the highest standards of food production.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_401

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 46919 on Environment Agency: Lobbying and with reference to the guidance entitled May 2025 Elections: guidance on conduct for civil servants, published on 20 March 2025, which section of that document provides guidance on holding meetings with hon. Members during a pre-election period. \p Emma Hardy: Section 29 of the guidance entitled “May 2025 Elections: guidance on conduct for civil servants” outlines that it is for individual public bodies to apply the guidance within their own organisations. Environment Agency staff follow all relevant sections of the guidance to ensure that their activities do not call into question their political impartiality.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's case study entitled Mental health costs of flooding, published on 4 April 2025, whether his Department plans to commission further research on that topic. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Mental health costs of flooding case study builds on previous mental health and flooding work. New research into the mental health impacts for those living in areas at risk of coastal erosion is also underway.

The Environment Agency has updated its advice for those at risk of flooding based on the research. This showed that mental health impacts are reduced if people have a flood plan and are prepared for flooding.

The Environment Agency is working with the UK Health Security Agency on their mental health guidance for the public, and front line responders, who support those who have experienced flooding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's case study entitled Mental health costs of flooding, published on 4 April 2025, whether the prices used are for 2025. \p Emma Hardy: The Mental health costs of flooding and erosion case study found the mental health losses per adult per flood event to be £1,878 per adult per flood for shallow floods (less than 30cm of water in a home). This increases to £4,136 per adult per flood for deeper, more severe floods (when water is over 1 metre deep).

These values are the same as those available in the supplementary guidance Mental health costs of flooding and erosion.

The mental health cost values in the case study are at 2018 prices, the same as the underlying guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_404

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer protections for billpayers of water services where the agreed environmental standards have not been met. \p Emma Hardy: This Government is strengthening consumer protections by bringing forward secondary legislation to introduce new and increased compensation - double the previous amounts or more - which will be compulsory for water companies to pay customers for poor service, underscoring our commitment to hold companies to account and stand up for consumers.

Furthermore, our Water (Special Measures) Act delivered on our promise to put water companies under tough special measures, by strengthening regulation as a first legislative step towards improving the sector. As part of the Act, Ofwat has new powers to ban the payment of unfair bonuses if environmental standards are not met.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_405

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is to ban the import of foie gras. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns.

We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to promote the highest food production standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_406

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the harmonisation in the upcoming Trade Strategy of animal welfare standards between domestically-produced goods and imported goods. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally and will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage.

The Government recognises farmers’ concerns about imports produced using methods not permitted in the UK. We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to support economic growth and promote the highest standards of food production.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_407

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to seek (a) regulatory alignment and (b) a closer relationship with the European Union on chemicals regulation as part of UK-EU reset discussions. \p Emma Hardy: This Government will work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU across a range of areas. It is too early to discuss scope or specific areas in any greater detail.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_408

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help farmers affected by the outbreak of avian flu. \p Daniel Zeichner: Following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry and other captive birds in the UK, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) together with the Devolved Governments and their delivery agencies have stood up their well-established outbreak structures to control and eradicate disease, restore normal trade, and assist local communities’ recovery.

Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. As part of this approach, Defra introduced legislation in January this year which allows free-range eggs to continue to be labelled as such for the duration of mandatory housing measures, reducing costs on producers and enabling them to continue to trade fairly with imported eggs. We will be introducing similar legislation covering free-range poultry later this year.

The Department works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely. Where avian influenza is confirmed on a premises, the producer receives compensation for any healthy birds culled for disease control purposes. Compensation is not available for sick birds or those that have died, or for consequential losses e.g. lost sales opportunities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_409

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the fishing industry in Great Yarmouth constituency following the UK’s departure from the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: As an independent coastal state, we have been able to progress our fisheries management in a way that better supports the needs of our own fishing industry. This includes reforming the way we manage our fisheries, such as through fisheries management plans which will play a crucial role in supporting the long-term sustainability of fishing businesses and delivering growth in coastal communities such as Great Yarmouth. We are also making progress on a wider set of fisheries management reforms, including for example the way we manage discards, the introduction of remote electronic monitoring and trialling new ways to allocate quota.

At the same time, our departure from the EU has generated additional fishing opportunities with a quota uplift. For example, it is estimated that the UK secured 126,000 tonnes more in fishing opportunities for 2024 (worth around £133m) than we would have received as a Member State.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what disposal schemes exist for banned pesticides. \p Emma Hardy: For all pesticides, there are legal requirements to store the product securely and dispose safely of any surplus. It is illegal to use or store any plant protection product (pesticide) that is no longer authorised. Professional users in possession of unauthorised plant protection products should contact an authorised business to dispose of them. While there are currently no specific government schemes for the disposal of banned pesticides, guidance for businesses needing to dispose of hazardous waste such as pesticides can be found on gov.uk. Amateur users should contact their local Civic Amenity site and ask them for guidance on disposal.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_411

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment on the effectiveness of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate since it removed the ability to submit reports online. \p Daniel Zeichner: The provision of a Web reporting route for suspected adverse event cases to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is not mandatory and, therefore, its suspension does not affect the VMD’s approach to assessment.

Reporting of adverse events continues directly through the xxx@xxx.xx mailbox for non-authorised veterinary medicinal products or for authorised products should the reporter be unable to report directly to the Marketing Authorisation Holder.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his speech at the NFU conference on 25 February 2025, whether the requirement for government catering contracts to favour high-welfare products will be determined with reference to the highest welfare tiers set out in his Department's proposed animal welfare label in the Fairer Food Labelling consultation which closed in May 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: The National Procurement Policy Statement underscores the Government's commitment to increasing the procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards, supporting local suppliers and upholding ethical sourcing practises across public sector contracts. This includes sourcing products from all farmed animals which have been raised to high UK welfare standards as defined in current animal welfare legislation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_413

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) silvopastoral and (b) holistic planned grazing practices to enhance (i) carbon sequestration and (ii) biodiversity. \p Daniel Zeichner: All prospective Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme offers were assessed for their potential impact against a range of environmental and cultural services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. The assessment was based on a combination of expert opinion and rapid evidence reviews and is now published.

In addition, we have modelled the impact of different densities and tree species suitable for silvo-pastoral systems on carbon sequestration and a limited set of species indicators. These models have given us the capability to assess the potential impact of Environmental Land Management offers.

Within the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) there are a wide range of actions for the management of grassland, including herbal leys, legumes in grassland and management of grassland with very low nutrient inputs. The Sustainable Farming Incentive also includes actions for planning soil, nutrient and integrated pest management, which help farmers to choose the most appropriate practices for their farm.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to adapt existing farming subsidy schemes to incentivise the (a) housing of all farmed animals in woodland and (b) planting of woodland in permanent pasture to improve (i) animal welfare, (ii) climate and (iii) biodiversity targets. \p Daniel Zeichner: Our in-field agroforestry offers under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes include support for establishing and maintaining silvopastoral systems, where trees are planted in pasture to realise their multiple benefits such as enhanced animal welfare, climate change mitigation and supporting biodiversity. Under Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT), land managers can plant and maintain in-field agroforestry systems up to an average of 400 trees her hectare. Land managers will be supported to design their agroforestry in a way that meets their objectives through the Agroforestry Plan (PA4) capital item. There are no restrictions on the species of livestock that can be farmed within in-field agroforestry systems. The animal welfare considerations for accommodation used for farmed animals are set out in The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 with further guidance set out in the relevant species-specific welfare codes of practice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to proactively screen for foot and mouth disease outbreaks in the UK. \p Daniel Zeichner: The UK has robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) as set out in the Foot and Mouth Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain supported by the Contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals in England.

Defra’s controls to prevent FMD outbreaks in Great Britain include strict prohibitions on the imports of animals and certain untreated products of animal origin from countries in which FMD is present; a comprehensive veterinary surveillance system to detect new and emerging disease threats; and active follow up and veterinary investigation of any suspect reports of notifiable disease.

Whilst early detection of notifiable disease incidents is critical, preventing incursions of FMD is the best line of defence. To protect the UK’s freedom from FMD these measures have been stepped up in response to recent FMD outbreaks in Hungary, Slovakia and Germany. In addition to restrictions on imports from affected areas, we have also extended restrictions on personal imports. Travellers are no longer permitted to bring meat or dairy products from cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs into Great Britain from any EU country for personal use.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on the negotiation of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU. \p Emma Hardy: The UK and EU are like-minded partners with similarly high standards. We have been clear that the trading relationship can be improved, hence why we are seeking to negotiate an SPS agreement to help boost trade and deliver benefits to businesses and consumers in the UK and the EU. It’s too early to discuss specific areas in detail and we will not be providing a running commentary on discussions with the EU.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's planned timeline is for bringing forward a consultation on the funding formula for allocation of money for new flood defences. \p Emma Hardy: We have set out plans to consult on a new approach for floods investment. A consultation will be launched shortly which will include a review of the existing formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses and rural and coastal communities are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment the potential merits of implementing recommendation 10a of the report by Policy Connect entitled Bricks and Mortar: flood and coastal erosion risk management policy for a new Government, published on 22 January 2025. \p Emma Hardy: We thank Policy Connect for their report and will consider its findings as we continue to review our flood and coastal erosion policies.

This work includes a review of the current floods funding formula, and we will be launching a consultation this spring. This will ensure that the challenges facing businesses and rural and coastal communities are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection, including consideration of alternative resilience approaches such as natural flood management and property flood resilience. The consultation will be open to everyone, and I welcome your, and your constituents’, participation.

In January 2025 the Environment Agency commissioned an independent review of Property Flood Resilience. The review will identify current gaps and opportunities to grow the property flood resilience market, resulting in a new action plan for all relevant parties to take forward. Report due in Autumn 2025.
wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_419
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) the Food Standards Agency and (c) other stakeholders on the potential impact of reducing UK tariffs on US meat and seafood products. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. The department engages regularly with the Food Standards Agency and other stakeholders on a range of topics, including trade.

Nobody wants a trade war, and our focus for now is on keeping calm and continuing to negotiate a wider economic deal with the United States. The UK will only do a deal that is in the national interest of the UK and its businesses.

To enable the UK to have every option open to us in the future, the Business and Trade Secretary has launched a request for input on the implications for British businesses of possible retaliatory action.
wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_420
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) regulatory alignment with the European Union on chemicals regulation and (b) seeking associate membership of the European Chemicals Agency at the UK-EU summit on 19 May. \p Emma Hardy: This Government will work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU across a range of areas. It is too early to discuss scope or specific areas in any greater detail.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief on the (a) Agricultural Transition Plan and (b) Food Security Strategy. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Agricultural Transition Plan was the policy of the previous Government and covers the period 2021 to 2024. This Government remains committed to supporting the farming industry by carrying on the transition away from payment for land ownership and towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment. This is why we are investing £5 billion of funding in the farming budget which this Government secured over a two-year period for sustainable farming and nature. More than 50,000 farm businesses and more than half of all farmed land is now being managed in Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, including over 38,000 multi-year live Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements covering 4.3 million hectares of land.

The food strategy is about working through partnership across the food system and Government to make our food system one that we can be proud of, protects British traditions, grows the economy, improves people’s health and strengthens food security. We are in the process of developing outcomes and delivery mechanisms for the food strategy, through a programme of stakeholder engagement, alongside expert advice and partnership across Government and the four nations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the retention and replacement of small abattoirs in Sussex. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra recognises the vital contribution a thriving abattoir network plays in supporting local livestock producers and maintaining a resilient and competitive food supply chain.

Defra works closely with the smaller abattoir sector including through its Small Abattoirs Working Group and Small Abattoirs Task and Finish Group. In doing so, we seek to identify and promote opportunities available to the sector and to collaborate with them on addressing any challenges and concerns it may be facing.

While the Department recognises the disruption and challenges that the closure of smaller abattoirs can have on the farming community, the retention and replacement of individual abattoirs is ultimately a matter for the owners of these businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_423

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with water companies to (a) reduce discharge levels and (b) improve water quality in local waterways in Newbury constituency. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) monitors water quality in the Thames catchment, including in Newbury constituency. This is set out in The Thames River Basin Management Plan. Water quality impacts from wastewater pollution are one of the key pressures resulting in many waterbodies not currently achieving good ecological status.

Improving water quality is a priority for the EA who are leading the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) as part of Ofwat’s 5-yearly Price Review process. The recent 2020 – 2025 cycle included investment by Thames Water to improve wastewater treatment works (including East Shefford, Boxford and Chieveley). During the 2025-2030 cycle Thames Water is expected to reduce spills from storm overflows by 29% and reduce pollution incidents by 30%. This will involve further improvements, including at Newbury, Hungerford, and East Shefford,

The EA is currently transforming its regulatory approach, developing a larger specialised workforce and delivering a step-change in inspections of permitted sites and associated enforcement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_424

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to develop the new Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the new scheme on farmers in South Cotswolds constituency. \p Daniel Zeichner: The future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will build on what has made SFI effective so far. Defra will be 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/answers2025-05-12 conversation_425
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_425

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of land-based fish farms which use indoor tanks instead of ocean- or lake-based pens on animal welfare. \p Daniel Zeichner: Current legislation already provides protection for farmed fish kept for the production of meat or other products whilst on farm. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, including fish, or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of a protected animal, for which that person is responsible. The Farm Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish was also published in 2014.

The potential impact of land-based recirculating aquaculture systems on fish welfare is an issue we are considering.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_426

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department. \p Daniel Zeichner: The UK Civil Service only formally observes the Government-set bank holidays.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_427

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a cap on the fees charged by veterinary practices for issuing Animal Health Certificates. \p Daniel Zeichner: All fees set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices are a private matter between individual practices and their clients. Neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.
wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_428
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_428

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing an accessible food labelling system to improve transparency. \p Daniel Zeichner: The availability and accessibility of essential food information to all consumers is vitally important. It is already a requirement that mandatory food information must be easily visible, clearly legible and where appropriate indelible, in addition to there being a required minimum font size for mandatory information.

We are aware of moves by some retailers to provide information on food in braille format, and the government is interested in seeing how this works.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_429

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of agri-environmental scheme investment in Dartmoor National Park since 2015. \p Daniel Zeichner: Data related to the boundaries of the Dartmoor National Park is not held.

The Government’s commitment to our farmers remains steadfast. In the budget in October 2024, we committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years. This means more money than ever for sustainable food production and agri-environmental schemes across the country, including Dartmoor.

We are funding around 38,000 live Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements, increased payments under Higher Level Stewardship, and Round 1 and 2 Landscape Recovery projects. We are also funding new Higher Tier agreements and Capital Grants, both of which open or re-open to applications later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_430

Andrew Lewin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's document entitled Volumetric concrete mixers: fact sheet March 2025, published on 18 March 2025, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' guidance entitled Assessing environmental impact, updated on 1 November 2023, if she will make an environmental impact study of the potential impact of reducing the maximum weight limit of volumetric concrete mixers from 2028. \p Lilian Greenwood: The 18 March publication is not a change to the policy on weights for volumetric concrete mixers. The ten-year temporary exemption will come to an end, as planned, in 2028. The Department assessed the potential environmental impacts when preparing the environmental principles policy statement assessment, to assist me with complying with my duty to have due regard to the environmental principles when making policy under section 19(1) of the Environment Act 2021.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_431

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of vehicles rented by her Department are electric vehicles. \p Lilian Greenwood: Under the previous contract, which ended on 31 March 2025, the contract’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) did not differentiate between Electric Vehicle or Internal Combustion Engine hires so the Department for Transport does not hold the requested information.

However, the Department for Transport has recently started a new 3 year vehicle hire contract as of 1 April 2025. Within this contract it is mandated that EV provision is available to all hirers and the related data will be available quarterly going into the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_432

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of dualling the A47 between Tilney and East Winch. \p Lilian Greenwood: The current performance and potential future needs of the A47 between Tilney and East Winch has been considered as part of National Highways East of England Route Strategy, which will form the basis of future investment planning on the strategic road network.

As part of a proposed housing development at West Winch, to the south of Kings Lynn, National Highways is considering improvements to the Hardwick Interchange where the A47 meets the A10, dual the section of the A47 south of the Hardwick Interchange and provide for a new access road. This is still in an early stage of development and is subject to review and assessment by the department once details are finalised.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_433

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to end the Great Northern franchise at the core term expiry date. \p Simon Lightwood: Great Northern services are operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), whose core term expiry date was 1 April 2025. The date on which GTR’s franchise will end, and its services transfer to public ownership, has not yet been decided. The Rail Minister and Secretary of State meet with all the Train Operating Companies and their Network Rail counterparts regularly to discuss performance and staffing amongst other topical issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_434

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to (a) review and (b) increase the maximum level of parking fines that can be issued by councils outside London. \p Lilian Greenwood: A number of parking sector stakeholders conducted research recently into this issue. It has been shared with the Department and officials will be reviewing the research and its findings in due course, and that will then inform decisions about next steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_435

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Transport for London on improving the accessibility of the network for disabled people. \p Simon Lightwood: Disabled people should be able to travel easily, confidently and with dignity. Ministers and officials have regular conversations with Transport for London on a variety of issues including accessibility of their network. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London, and TfL is responsible for managing the London transport network.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-12 conversation_436

Susan Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce wait times for practical driving tests in Scotland. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.

Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.