To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Biodiversity
Monday 27th October 2025

Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a global ecosystem assessment report and, if so, when.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra routinely conducts and updates assessments on a range of threats. HMG publishes assessments in the National Risk Register and Chronic Risks Analysis, including on biodiversity loss and its interactions with ecosystems, on GOV.UK

Written Question
Deep Sea Mining
Wednesday 22nd September 2021

Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that industrial-scale deep seabed mining will (1) damage ocean ecosystems, and (2) lead to permanent biodiversity loss.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The UK recognises the growing pressure to extract deep-sea resources, and is deeply concerned about the potential impacts of mining activities on the fragile marine environment.

We have commissioned an independent review of the existing literature in relation to deep sea mining, which will seek to include elements such as environmental, economic and societal considerations, and to identify key outstanding questions and evidence gaps. The terms of reference and a summary of the evidence review will be published in due course.

We have committed not to sponsor or support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects, unless and until there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on deep sea ecosystems, and strong and enforceable environmental regulations and standards are in place.

Further and detailed environmental impact assessments would be required in advance of any exploitation licence being issued.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 10 Feb 2021
UK Shellfish Sector

"My Lords, I would like to follow on from the question from the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay. The Minister said a little bit about what needs to be done to bring our class B waters up to class A standards. Can he say how long he thinks this might take? …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: UK Shellfish Sector
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 14 May 2020
Food Supply and Security

"My Lords, I was privileged to be a member of the Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee when it produced Brexit-related reports on agriculture, and on food prices and availability. The two key vulnerabilities in our food system that the Covid-19 crisis has laid bare were highlighted in those reports: …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Food Supply and Security
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 15 May 2019
Brexit: Plant and Animal Biosecurity

"My Lords, I draw attention to my interests as recorded in the register.

In rereading this excellent report, it is clear that what is at issue is the scale of damage to our nation if there were to be a serious lapse in biosecurity. My noble friend Lord Teverson and …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Brexit: Plant and Animal Biosecurity
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 15 May 2019
Brexit: Plant and Animal Biosecurity

"I am sorry—I am just about to finish.

It sounds very much like we would be willing to shut the stable door once the horse has bolted. I hope that the Minister is now of a more proactive frame of mind. It is much more cost effective to address and …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Brexit: Plant and Animal Biosecurity
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 12 Sep 2018
Ivory Bill

"My Lords, I apologise for not having taken part in the Second Reading debate on the Bill. I was unable to do so, but, having seen the amendment put down by the noble Earl, Lord Sandwich, I was moved to add my name. I will take a few minutes to …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Ivory Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 23 Mar 2017
Brexit: Environment and Climate Change

"My Lords, I start by thanking my noble friend Lord Teverson for his expertise in chairing the committee as it took evidence and discussed the diverse issues raised. I also take this opportunity to thank the clerks for their unfailingly high standards.

I aim to restrict my remarks to the …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Brexit: Environment and Climate Change
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 23 Mar 2017
Brexit: Environment and Climate Change

"I wish to comment on the remarks about enforcement. This is a very important area. The Minister mentioned the Clean Air Act 1956. I remind the House that that was enacted on the back of the great smog—the catastrophic pollution event in London. Going back to the 19th century, in …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Brexit: Environment and Climate Change
Speech in Grand Committee - Mon 16 Jan 2017
Brexit: Fisheries (EUC Report)

"My Lords, I speak as a member of the committee who has had the benefit of listening to and reading the words of expert practitioners and thinkers in this industry. Experts may not be the flavour of the month post-Brexit, but some of those on the leave side on the …..."
Baroness Sheehan - View Speech

View all Baroness Sheehan (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Brexit: Fisheries (EUC Report)