Asked by: Angela Eagle (Labour - Wallasey)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the shortage in the production of sodium hypochlorite on food production; and what steps he plans to take to alleviate any such impact.
Answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury
Sodium hypochlorite is a key input into the food system and is used as a cleaning product during the food production process. Along with other critical inputs to the food supply chain, Defra monitors the supply of sodium hypochlorite and stands ready to act if needed should an issue arise. To date, the reduced supply of sodium hypochlorite has been mitigated by industry through the various alternatives available depending on intended use.
The day-to-day supply of sodium hypochlorite is a commercial matter for industry and they are well versed in responding to shortages without delay and the least amount of disruption to the public. Defra works closely with industry to monitor supply issues relating to both food products and critical inputs in the food system. Defra further works to encourage diverse and resilient supply chains to protect consumers and businesses.
Asked by: Angela Eagle (Labour - Wallasey)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of shortages in production of sodium hypochlorite on water supplies; and what steps he is taking to help alleviate that impact.
Answered by Steve Double
This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
Maintaining the strategic supply of chemicals to the water sector is a priority for government and industry. Chemicals are critical to water treatment processes for both the provision of safe drinking water and wastewater services to protect the environment.
We work continuously with the water sector to understand chemical supply issues and manage the strategic risks of interruption to drinking water supplies and wastewater. This includes frequent contact with the water sector, both specific companies and with Water UK, an industry representative body. We also frequently engage with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who lead on chemicals sector supply chains.
The routine supply of sodium hypochlorite is a commercial matter for industry. We are monitoring the strategic supply of sodium hypochlorite to water companies, and we frequently encourage diverse and resilient supply chains. We will continue to do so to protect drinking water and wastewater services.
Asked by: Angela Eagle (Labour - Wallasey)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the creation of smallholder and community-led horticulture jobs in (a) England, (b) the North West, (c) Wirral and (d) Wallasey.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
As set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan this Government will provide funding to create lasting opportunities for new entrants to access land, infrastructure and support to establish successful and innovative businesses including in horticulture. These could involve business models such as Community Supported Agriculture and small holdings.
The details and eligibility criteria of the new entrant scheme are being developed through a consultative co-design process with stakeholders.
The co-design steering group includes representatives of local authorities with council farm estates, new entrant farmers, providers of innovation support for young farmers, cooperative and community land organisations and private landowners. We are also engaging a wider range of stakeholders to help us design the scheme. We will report more details of the scheme this summer and aim to launch the scheme in 2022.
Asked by: Angela Eagle (Labour - Wallasey)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to ensure that air quality levels in (a) Wallasey and (b) the North West remain lower than they were prior to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
Our ambitious plans to improve air quality and support more active forms of travel have not changed, including the £3.8 billion we are already investing to clean up our air. Our recent rapid call for evidence will ensure we can fully understand the impact that coronavirus is having on changes to air pollution emissions, concentrations and exposure.
On 9 May, the Government announced a £2 billion funding package for cycling and walking: the largest ever investment in active travel. This includes £250 million to be spent in the current financial year on measures to get people cycling and walking, such as pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors and a bike repair voucher scheme.
Local authorities already have a range of powers to take action to reduce pollution from road vehicles. Through the Environment Bill we are improving co-operation within the Local Air Quality Management framework to widen the range of bodies that play a role in improving local air quality, including neighbouring local authorities and relevant public bodies, ensuring action is taken by all key players to tackle pollution sources and to improve air quality locally.
Additionally we are working hard to implement our world-leading Clean Air Strategy, which focuses on reducing broader emissions beyond road transport.