Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - 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 environmental damage caused in the UK by the illegal laundering of fuel.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Dissolution. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether farmers in Northern Ireland will continue to receive financial support at current levels until 2024.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
This Government has made a commitment that the amount we allocate to farming support - in cash terms - will be protected until the end of this Parliament, expected in 2022.
Decisions on future funding arrangements will be taken by the Government drawing on representations from the devolved administrations. We have committed to ensure that all parts of the UK are treated fairly and their individual circumstances are taken into account.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timetable for the introduction of a bill on agriculture.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
As announced in the Queen’s Speech, we intend to introduce a bill on agriculture this session, as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the UK's water industry is owned and operated by companies based outside the UK.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
In England and Wales, there are seventeen large regulated companies with a regional monopoly to provide water and/or sewerage services. Of these, fifteen are at least partially owned by investors outside the UK. All regulated water companies are headquartered in the UK.
In Northern Ireland, water and sewerage services are provided by a government-owned company. In Scotland, water and sewerage services are provided by a public corporation.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the UK is self-sufficient in staple foodstuffs; and if not, whether they plan to make the UK self-sufficient.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
The UK’s current production to supply ratio is 76% for indigenous-type foods and 61% for all foods. This has remained steady over the last decade and is not low in the context of the last 150 years.
Global food security is dependent on a number of factors including increasing production sustainably, reducing waste and ensuring open markets around the world to facilitate trade.
The Government remains committed to publishing a 25 Year Food and Farming Plan. The Plan aims to increase the competitiveness and productivity of British producers, enabling them to compete more effectively in domestic and overseas markets.