Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money was raised from the Plastic Bag Charge in the last calendar year; and how much of that amount was directed to charitable causes.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
During 2020/21, retailers reported they collected £24.8 million in gross proceeds from the single use carrier bag charge. Despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers voluntarily reported that £10.9 million was donated to good causes, contributing to the £190 million donated since the charge was introduced in 2015. Whilst not required by legislation, once retailers have deducted reasonable costs for administration, it is expected they will donate all proceeds to good causes, particularly environmental causes.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health for Social Care on implementing a cross-departmental strategy to tackle the impact of poor air quality on people’s health.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Latest published figures show that air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010. However, we absolutely recognise that there is more to do to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution, which is why we are working across Government to take the range of action set out in the Clean Air Strategy.
On 16 March my Noble Friend Lord Kamall referenced in a debate on the Health and Care Bill that the next meeting of the Health Promotion Task Force would have a focus on air quality.
I recently held a round table meeting with Ministers and officials from other Government departments to discuss the range of cross-Government policies that affect air quality and its impact on public health, with a particular focus on targeting action where people are most likely to be exposed to poor air quality.
The Government recently launched a consultation on our two proposed targets for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - a pollutant of significant harm to health:
This dual-target approach will tackle the highest concentrations and ensure continuous improvement across the country. The population exposure reduction target will drive action even where concentration targets have already been achieved. We plan to set out our pathways to delivering these targets through the Environmental Improvement Plan in January 2023.
The Government has allocated £880 million to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceedances under the 2017 NO2 Plan. We are also taking action across transport by supporting the switch to electric vehicles with £2.8 billion of investment, and £2 billion in funding for cycling and walking over this Parliament.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to mitigate the impact of high levels of air pollution on the health of people living in affected urban areas.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Latest published figures show that air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010. However, we absolutely recognise that there is more to do to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution, which is why we are working across Government to take the range of action set out in the Clean Air Strategy.
On 16 March my Noble Friend Lord Kamall referenced in a debate on the Health and Care Bill that the next meeting of the Health Promotion Task Force would have a focus on air quality.
I recently held a round table meeting with Ministers and officials from other Government departments to discuss the range of cross-Government policies that affect air quality and its impact on public health, with a particular focus on targeting action where people are most likely to be exposed to poor air quality.
The Government recently launched a consultation on our two proposed targets for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - a pollutant of significant harm to health:
This dual-target approach will tackle the highest concentrations and ensure continuous improvement across the country. The population exposure reduction target will drive action even where concentration targets have already been achieved. We plan to set out our pathways to delivering these targets through the Environmental Improvement Plan in January 2023.
The Government has allocated £880 million to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceedances under the 2017 NO2 Plan. We are also taking action across transport by supporting the switch to electric vehicles with £2.8 billion of investment, and £2 billion in funding for cycling and walking over this Parliament.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government's timetable is for making a decision on banning the import of fur and foie gras products.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Now we have left the EU, the Government is able to explore potential action in relation to animal fur, in line with the Government’s commitment to improving animal welfare standards as set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. We are reviewing the evidence gathered both from our Call for Evidence and wider engagement with the fur trade and stakeholders, and a summary of responses will be published soon.
Regarding foie gras, the Government has made clear that the production of force-fed foie gras raises serious welfare concerns. We are now able to consider any further steps that could be taken in relation to foie gras that is produced overseas using force feeding practices, such as restrictions on import and sale. We continue to gather information and speak to a range of interested parties about the issues involved.
We will update members accordingly when this evidence gathering process is concluded for both fur and foie gras.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to rewild white-tailed eagles.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government committed in the 25 Year Environment Plan to providing opportunities for the reintroduction of formerly native species where there are clear environment and socio-economic benefits.
Additionally, we will shortly be establishing an England Species Reintroductions Task Force to provide a collective evidence-based view on potential species for conservation translocation and reintroduction in England.
Both Forestry England and Defra have supported The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation project to reintroduce white-tailed eagles to the Isle of Wight. By establishing a population on the south coast, it is hoped that the birds will also connect existing communities in Scotland, France, the Netherlands and Ireland, helping to secure a long-term future of the white-tailed eagle in Europe.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to provide for the supply of (a) healthy and (b) British-produced food to public sector organisations.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government is adopting an ambitious and transformational approach to public sector food and catering. We want the public sector to lead by example, championing local food and farmers, and healthy, sustainable produce.
We have a manifesto commitment to encourage the public sector to buy British, to support our farmers and reduce environmental costs. To help meet this commitment, we will soon be consulting on proposed changes to the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services (GBSF). The consultation will seek views on ways to promote local, sustainable, healthier food in the public sector, open public sector procurement to a wider range of businesses and increase the transparency of food supply chains.
Organisations in scope are required to apply the GBSF as per the Procurement Policy Note published in November 2014. The GBSF also includes best practice standards which are recommended but not required. We will consider whether future reforms to regulation are needed to unlock the full potential of public sector food and catering.