Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of quota allocations for (a) bass, (b) horse mackerel and (c) other species for inshore fishers in (i) Cornwall and (ii) the South West.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK's allocations of quota stocks (including horse mackerel) are derived from fixed shares of total allowable catches (TACs), which the UK sets via negotiation with other coastal States. Our approach to setting TACs is based on the best available scientific advice and informed by close engagement with industry. The needs of inshore fishers in Cornwall and the wider South West, as well as other sectors of the fishing industry across the UK, are carefully considered when UK positions are developed for fisheries negotiations.
Bass is a non-quota stock and not subject to quota allocations. The catching of bass is subject to ICES advice on what can be sustainably removed, management measures and gear restrictions. Hook and line is the only authorised targeted fishery, within specific catch limits. Bass may also be landed as bycatch when caught in fixed gillnets or trawls and seines, also within specific catch limits. Other non-quota species are not subject to quota allocations.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme’s glass packaging fees on the competitiveness of small and medium-sized beverage producers that rely predominantly on glass.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In autumn last year my department published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme on packaging producers as a whole, when the regulations were laid in parliament. This impact assessment includes an analysis of the impact of pEPR on competition but does not include an assessment of the impact on specific materials or sectors.
pEPR in the UK has some of the most generous support measures for small businesses across any packaging scheme globally. These are exemptions from disposal fee and recycling (PRN) obligations for producers with an annual turnover below £2 million and packaging tonnage below 50 tonnes; and an exemption from data collection and reporting obligations for small businesses with turnover below £1 million and packaging tonnage below 25 tonnes. These exemptions apply to approximately 70% of businesses supplying packaging in the UK.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of delaying the full implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme to review its impact on small producers of glass-packaged beverages to ensure the scheme does not undermine the (a) environmental and (b) economic sustainability of the sector.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Packaging extended producer responsibility is an important part of government’s wider commitment to transition to a circular economy. It is the cornerstone of the packaging reforms and delivers a £1.4 billion investment to local councils to deliver better recycling services to households across the UK. Together, the leaders of the UK’s largest waste management companies have said that these reforms unlock a £10 billion investment in the UK’s recycling capacity, creating 25,000 jobs.
pEPR in the UK has some of the most generous support measures for small businesses across any packaging scheme globally. These are exemptions from disposal fee and recycling (PRN) obligations for producers with an annual turnover below £2 million and packaging tonnage below 50 tonnes; and an exemption from data collection and reporting obligations for small businesses with turnover below £1 million and packaging tonnage below 25 tonnes. These exemptions apply to approximately 70% of businesses supplying packaging in the UK.
The Government is committed to the delivery of these important reforms.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating Cornish lobster as a protected product under the Protected Geographical Indication framework.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) framework plays a vital role in championing food and drink products that are regionally distinct and nationally important, helping to preserve heritage, support rural economies, and promote high-quality British produce. A number of celebrated Cornish foods are already protected - Fal Oyster PDO, Cornish Sardines PGI, Cornish Clotted Cream PDO, Cornish Pasty PGI and Darnibole wine PDO.
The designation process is producer-led. As with any prospective name, the Department would welcome an application to protect “Cornish Lobster”. The application would need to give evidence of widespread agreement amongst the lobster fishing fleet of its reputation, exactly what it is, how it is produced or caught and where it comes from. Should producers wish to pursue this, we will carefully consider their case in line with the established criteria under the UK GI schemes.
More information, including how to apply can be found at Protected geographical food and drink names: UK GI schemes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to issue guidance for homeowners who discover bats in their property.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
All bats, including their breeding sites and resting places, are protected under UK and international law. This strict legal protection makes it an offence to deliberately capture, injure, or kill bats; to damage or destroy a breeding or resting place; or to obstruct access to a resting or sheltering place.
Guidance on what steps to take if you find bats in your home can be found at Bats: protection and licences - GOV.UK. Natural England are currently reviewing their existing guidance around bats to ensure it is up-to-date, accessible and easy to navigate - supporting both homeowners and bats.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish a list of schemes where fines levied against water companies (a) have been reinvested to clean up UK waters and (b) are programmed to be reinvested to clean up UK waters, since the spending review in October 2023.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In June this Government announced that fines and penalties levied against water companies for environmental breaches, will be reinvested into future local environmental projects across the country to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. These could include local environmental programmes to address pollution and improve water quality. Further details about the projects and programmes to be funded will be confirmed in due course.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the total amount received from water companies in (a) fines and (b) penalties since the Spending Review 2023; and what steps she has taken to ensure that the funds have been allocated to projects to improve water standards.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
£109 million in fines and penalties has been applied against water companies since October 2023. This includes the £104.5 million fine issued by Ofwat to Thames Water for breaches of rules relating to the company’s wastewater operations.
In June this Government announced that fines and penalties levied against water companies since October 2023, as well as future fines and penalties, will be reinvested into future local environmental projects across the country to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Further details about the projects and programmes to be funded by these water company fines onwards will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
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 ensure that homeowners with bats on their property can conduct (a) urgent structural and (b) safety repairs while respecting bat conservation rules.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is committed to ensuring that homeowners can maintain safe living environments while upholding England’s strong legal protections for bats. We continue to work with Natural England and conservation organisations to streamline licensing processes and provide clear guidance for property owners.
In cases of genuine emergency - such as urgent structural issues or immediate safety risks - Natural England may expedite licence applications or provide urgent advice. We would therefore encourage homeowners in England to contact Natural England’s Wildlife Licensing Team directly to discuss the situation whilst ensuring legal compliance.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms exist for his Department to engage directly with SMEs providing patented technology to address (a) illegal sewage discharges and (b) freshwater shortages.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is supporting innovation through Ofwat’s Innovation Fund, which has doubled in size to £400 million for 2025-2030. Since 2020, it has awarded funding to 109 projects - ranging from trialling artificial intelligence to detect algae in reservoirs, to robots that patrol wastewater pipes to pinpoint cracks.
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, including charities and NGOs, on many issues related to the water sector including on sewage pollution and water resources.
We have begun rebuilding the water network to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. In one of the largest infrastructure programmes in this country’s history, £104 billion is being invested to upgrade crumbling pipes, sewage treatment works and water resources infrastructure across the country.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of availability of independent (a) advice and (b) support to consumers who have problems with their water company.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has already committed to a number of Sir Jon Cunliffe’s recommendations as set out in the Independent Water Commission’s final report.
As announced by the Environment Secretary on 21 July 2025, water customers will have more support than ever before. The Government will create a new statutory water ombudsman with the power to protect customers in disputes with their water company - a single, free service to help customers resolve complaints.
It will build on the Consumer Council for Water’s current role and bring dispute resolution processes for water in line with other sectors. These new measures will build on our reforms to more than double automatic payments to customers when water companies fail to deliver adequate standards of service, and to ensure customers are at the heart of water company purpose and regulation.