Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has considered mandating the use of compostable fresh produce stickers; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on arable land.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Department has not considered mandating the use of compostable fresh produce stickers and does not currently have plans to assess the potential impact of such a measure on arable land. However, we remain committed to supporting sustainable packaging solutions and continue to monitor developments in this area.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list each date on which (a) Ministers and (b) Officials have had a meeting with Greenpeace since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers have met with Greenpeace and discussions continue at an official level.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the scoping review published in Animal Welfare on 4 November, The canine welfare, public health and environmental impact of systemic under-regulation within the UK puppy trade; and what action they will take to address the issues highlighted in it.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As outlined in our manifesto, the Government will end puppy smuggling and bring an end to puppy farming. To deliver this we are supporting the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill which will close loopholes in the non-commercial pet travel rules that are abused by unscrupulous traders and give the Government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to the United Kingdom.
We are considering the most effective way to end puppy farming, including assessing a range of evidence, and will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: Neil O'Brien (Conservative - Harborough, Oadby and Wigston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been employed by (a) Natural England, (b) the Environment Agency, and (c) the Office for Environmental Protection in each year since 2005.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Information on the number of people employed in Government organisations including Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Office for Environmental Protection is published monthly on gov.uk as part of Government transparency commitments. Information can be accessed for 2017 through 2025 at the following web address:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defra-workforce-management-information
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to implement the Chalk Stream Restoration Implementation Plan.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Chalk streams are embedded in our plan to reform the water sector. The Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good. Our focus is now on delivering this revolution across the entire water sector, ensuring chalk streams, alongside all our rivers, lakes, and seas, benefit from this era of reform.
As such, the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack, which was announced by the previous government, falls short of these wider ambitions and is no longer being taken forward.
Asked by: James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the protection of chalk streams in North West Norfolk constituency.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Chalk streams are incredible source of national pride. As one of Britain’s most nature rich habitats, they support some of our rarest wildlife – from chalk salmon to trout, they are home to beloved and endangered species.
The Government recognises the importance of protecting these globally rare habitats.
Asked by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk to children of developing (a) E. coli and (b) other serious diseases from water sources in the North West.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The 2025 classification results are expected to be released on 25 November 2025.
Companies use tight process controls including filtration, coagulation, chlorine disinfection, and UV/ozone treatment where appropriate, with operational responses when raw water quality deteriorates. Both raw water sources and final water are frequently monitored and tested to ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016. The acceptable concentration of E.coli is 0/100ml at customers' taps, treatment works, or reservoirs.
The Inspectorate oversees company performance through monitoring results, risk assessments, and event notifications, which drive necessary actions and investment. Our risk assessment team actively reviews water safety planning and operational measures, explicitly considering vulnerable populations including children when assessing and responding to microbial incidents.
Asked by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to reduce the prevalence of E. coli in water sources in the North West.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The 2025 classification results are expected to be released on 25 November 2025.
Companies use tight process controls including filtration, coagulation, chlorine disinfection, and UV/ozone treatment where appropriate, with operational responses when raw water quality deteriorates. Both raw water sources and final water are frequently monitored and tested to ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016. The acceptable concentration of E.coli is 0/100ml at customers' taps, treatment works, or reservoirs.
The Inspectorate oversees company performance through monitoring results, risk assessments, and event notifications, which drive necessary actions and investment. Our risk assessment team actively reviews water safety planning and operational measures, explicitly considering vulnerable populations including children when assessing and responding to microbial incidents.
Asked by: Charlotte Cane (Liberal Democrat - Ely and East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to support (a) households, (b) businesses and (c) developers to increase the re-use of greywater.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
A consultation launched on 23 September 2025 proposes tightening Building Regulations to see new homes fitted with Water Saving features, such as aerated taps and showerheads, and dual flush toilets. Strengthened Water Efficiency Standards through updated Building Regulations will boost housebuilding and keep more money in families’ pockets. Updated standards will bolster drought resilience and unblock developments in water scarce areas. Future innovations such as using recycled greywater in homes, is also being considered in a call for evidence running alongside the consultation.
The Independent Water Commission Report published in summer recommended that Government work with regulators to develop a new policy and regulatory framework to drive the adoption of reuse infrastructure in the household and non-household space. The Government will respond to the commission’s recommendations through a White Paper and new water reform Bill.
Government is also working with Ofwat to encourage higher levels of water and wastewater efficiency in new developments through environmental incentives.
Asked by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the risk of contracting E. coli from Lytham St Annes beach.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The 2025 classification results are expected to be released on 25 November 2025.