Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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 assist the dairy industry; and what discussions she has had with the devolved administrations on that matter.
Answered by George Eustice
The dairy sector is a vital part of the food and farming sector. Long term prospects are good but current prices are causing some of our farmers to struggle. Government is doing all it can to help during this difficult period. We are working with HMRC to allow farmers to access “Time to Pay” arrangements, urging banks to treat dairy farmers sympathetically, and giving the Groceries Code Adjudicator powers to fine retailers if necessary.
We want a competitive and resilient dairy industry that can take advantage of opportunities. We are helping the dairy industry to take advantage of opportunities such as opening new export markets and pushing for better country of origin labelling for British dairy products.
The Secretary of State chairs regular meetings with the Devolved Administrations (DAs) on issues of mutual interest. Defra officials maintain regular contact with their counterparts in the DAs on a range of dairy issues.
I discussed the current position in the dairy industry with colleagues from Devolved Administrations at an Agrifish Council of Ministers in Brussels on 16 March.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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 protect seas and fish stock quotas for (a) Northern Ireland and (b) other UK fishermen.
Answered by George Eustice
The UK secured a legally binding commitment to manage fish stocks at Maximum Sustainable Yield, and end the discarding of fish in the reformed Common Fisheries Policy. Defra is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on its implementation.
We are consulting on proposals for 23 Marine Conservation Zones, extending the wide range of protected areas and other measures already in place to manage our seas.
Protection of Northern Irish inshore waters is a devolved matter.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with insurance companies on affordable insurance cover after incidents of flooding.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
At visits to Somerset in December 2014, and Canvey Island in February, I met householders and the insurance industry to discuss recent experiences.
Government and the insurance industry are working closely together to deliver Flood Re, which will ensure access to affordable flood insurance for people at highest risk of flooding.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the devolved administrations on bovine TB.
Answered by George Eustice
I have frequent meetings with the Devolved Administrations (DA) on a wide range of matters. Defra officials have monthly meetings on bovine TB involving all the DAs which are normally attended by Chief Veterinary Officers as well as policy and veterinary staff.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she last met the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister for Northern Ireland to discuss the volatility of prices in the dairy industry.
Answered by George Eustice
The Secretary of State chairs regular meetings with Ministers in the Devolved Administrations on issues of mutual interest. The next meeting is currently being arranged and will provide an opportunity to discuss the dairy industry. I also regularly meet representatives of the dairy industry from across the UK, including from Northern Ireland.
Defra officials maintain regular contact with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations on a range of dairy issues.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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 ensure that home insurance is offered to people living in flood risk areas.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
Flood Re will protect those at risk of flooding by effectively limiting the amount that high risk households would need to pay on the flood insurance element of their household premiums. The limit on the premium will differ according to Council Tax band, rising for properties in higher bands.
Only 1-2% of households at highest risk of flooding will need to be considered for Flood Re. Others can continue to access cheaper flood insurance on the open market.
Insurers have agreed to continue to abide by their commitments in the Statement of Principles ensuring access to flood insurance until Flood Re is fully operational. Flood Re is on schedule to be established by July 2015.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the devolved administration on milk prices paid to farmers.
Answered by George Eustice
The Secretary of State chairs regular meetings with the Devolved Administrations on issues of mutual interest. The Secretary of State discussed dairy-related issues with Northern Irish MPs and MEPs earlier this week.
Defra officials also maintain regular contact with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations on a range of dairy issues.