Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to implement the Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs, revised in 2014, on extending the protection for the rarest and most vulnerable lowland grasslands to all sites that meet the criteria.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
Selection and notification of sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) is a matter for Natural England. Natural England has published its current designations programme on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-designations-programme-for-areas-sites-and-trails) and this includes several areas that host lowland grassland habitats. Natural England will continue to implement the Guidelines for the selection of biological SSSIs, as appropriate.
Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research has her Department undertaken on the effect of the use of increasing levels of yeast and yeast extracts in food.
Answered by George Eustice
Historically Defra has funded research on yeast under the Food LINK Programmes in relation to its use in brewing, in food and drink spoilage and to develop predictive food microbiological modelling tools. Since 2010 we have engaged with Innovate UK on collaborative R&D with industry supporting a range of issues on food quality.
Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
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 encourage food manufacturers and processors to avoid the use of (a) allergenic materials and (b) non-allergenic materials in ways that may cause allergenic reactions.
Answered by George Eustice
In December 2014, the law on how food allergen information is given was changed to make it easier for consumers with an allergy or intolerance to manage their condition safely when buying food or eating out. Defra continues to promote accurate and informative food labelling to inform consumers about the food they buy, including the presence of allergens in food so that consumers can make informed choices. The Food Standards Agency’s Guidance on Allergen Management and Consumer Information provides guidance on allergen management in food manufacturing and processing to assess and avoid cross contamination.
Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether airlines are obliged to comply with the requirements of the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulations No. 1169/2011.
Answered by George Eustice
The Food Information for Consumers (FIC) Regulation (1169/2011) applies across the European Economic Area, including catering services that are provided by airlines when the departure takes place in a Member State. The requirements apply to packaged and unpackaged food served on airlines. In both cases information required by the regulations must be provided to the consumer, namely allergen information. Other food labelling rules may apply if departing from a non-EEA state.
Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the UK paid to the EU for agricultural levies in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
Answered by George Eustice
UK Contributions to the EU budget are set out in Table C3 of HM Treasury publication “European Union Finances 2015: statement on the 2015 EU Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement” in December 2015.
The contribution from sugar levies for the previous 5 years were:
2010: £8m
2011: £8m
2012: £10m
2013: £9m
2014: £2m