Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2023 to Question 187162 on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, what his expected timescale is for bringing forward the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We will be taking forward measures in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill individually through other means during the remainder of this Parliament. Parliamentary business will be announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
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 he has made of the viability of a deposit return scheme in the UK.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since consulting on the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in 2019, officials have been developing final proposals for a DRS using further evidence and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. This will be presented in a second consultation in 2021 alongside a full impact assessment.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
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 he has made of trends in the level of air pollution on the southern approach to the Dartford Crossing.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We model air pollution along the A282 which includes the southern approach to the Dartford Crossing. Our 2017 UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations was informed by our modelling which uses the latest available evidence, which indicates that all modelled sections of the A282 were compliant by 2017.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
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 he has made of levels of water pollution in the River Thames.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Environment Agency responds to reports of pollution via its National Incident hotline. It also proactively identifies pollution to water bodies by carrying out targeted ecological and water quality monitoring.
Monitoring under the European Union Water Framework Directive involves assessing the water environment for its ecological and water quality status. The River Thames currently has a Moderate rating, an improvement on the 2009 baseline. The next round of classifications are due to be released in 2019.
The Environment Agency is in the process of updating the River Basin Management Plan which will develop further measures to improve the habitat, water quality and diversity of the river. This will be delivered through partnerships with industry, land owners, community groups and Defra.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
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 he has made of the level of air pollution in Dartford.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We model air pollution in Dartford. Our 2017 UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations was informed by our modelling which uses the latest available evidence, which indicates that all modelled roads in Dartford are expected to be compliant with the NO2 limit value by 2018.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has issued guidance to owners to encourage responsible dog ownership.
Answered by George Eustice
In April this year we updated the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their dogs as required by the 2006 Act. The statutory code is available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on flood defences in Dartford in the last 12 months; and what future such spending is planned in the next 12 months.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
Revenue spend
The Dartford area covers three flood risk management systems and one major structure - the Dartford Creek Barrier.
Spend for last 12 months (£K) | Remaining budget for 2014/15 (£K) | Funding needs identified for 2015/16 (£K) (not yet approved) | |
Thames | 71.1 | 59.7 | 80.7 |
Dartford | 4.4 | 0 | 23.7 |
South Darent | 0 | 0 | 17.3 |
Dartford Creek Barrier | 135.0 | 65.0 | 135.0 |
Capital spend
In the next 12 months we will carry out an initial assessment to assess flood risk in Dartford town centre from the fluvial River Darent at a cost of approximately £50K.
Capital expenditure on the Dartford Creek Barrier has been as follows:
Spend for last 12 months (£K) | Remaining budget for 2014/15 (£K) | Funding needs identified for 2015/16 (£K) (not yet approved) | |
Dartford Creek Barrier | 65.0 | 120.0 | 200.0 |