Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
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 take steps to protect farmers in the dairy industry from the economic consequences of the recent decision by supermarkets to significantly cut the price of a pint of milk.
Answered by George Eustice
All operators in the supply chain should receive a fair price for their goods. We regularly bring together supermarkets, processors and farmers through the Dairy Supply Chain Forum to discuss issues such as collaboration, risk management and market volatility. I chaired the Farming Resilience Group meeting on 14 January where we discussed with the NFU and a range of industry bodies how to help manage volatility.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator was set up to help suppliers if they feel they are being treated unfairly by retailers and we encourage dairy suppliers to use the GCA where they feel the grocery code has been breached.
We are helping the dairy industry to take advantage of opportunities such as opening new export markets and pushing for better country of origin labelling for British dairy products.
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
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 progress of the project to extend the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the north of Cowan Bridge; and what estimate she has made of how long that project will take.
Answered by George Eustice
A public inquiry into Natural England’s proposals to extend the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks, including an area to the north of Cowan Bridge, was held in June 2013. The inspector’s report has been submitted to Defra and is now being considered. Should the Secretary of State decide to go ahead with changes to the boundaries it would be reasonable to allow up to a year before the changes come into effect. This would permit local arrangements to be made to transfer the planning role and to address the composition of the relevant national park authorities. The Secretary of State will issue her decisions in due course.
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she is making in reducing the burden of regulation on farmers.
Answered by George Eustice
Food and farming is a vital part of our economy, generating £100bn and employing one in eight people. We want to enable farmers to spend their time producing high quality British produce and contribute to this. This is why, by the end of this Parliament, we will have reduced the volume of guidance by 80%.
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding will be allocated to the Lune Valley in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency as part of the recently announced badger vaccination project.
Answered by George Eustice
In April 2013, as part of the Government's Strategy for achieving Officially Bovine Tuberculosis Free Status for England, the Secretary of State announced new support for privately led vaccination initiatives in the Edge Area. Building on ongoing work with stakeholders, including a workshop held on 24 June, a new scheme will be launched shortly and will offer financial and other support, such as training and advice. This will be a grant scheme and as such prospective vaccination projects will need to apply for funding and support. The level of funding and support offered will be dependent on the extent to which successful projects meet the criteria that will be announced as part of the scheme.
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
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 estimate how much money his Department has spent in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency since May 2010.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
The Department is unable to provide information at this level of detail. However, the tables on pages 72 and 73 of Defra's Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14, at the link below, set out analyses of the Department's spending by country and region within the UK, and by function. Notes providing context to the tables appear on page 71.
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on the inclusion of Upper Lune Valley in the (a) Cumbrian National Park and (b) Trough of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty.
Answered by George Eustice
Designation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a matter for Natural England. In 2012 Natural England made Variation Orders to extend the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks. The proposed extensions to the Yorkshire Dales National Park include parts of the Lune Valley. The Orders were subject to a Public Inquiry in 2013 and the Secretary of State is now considering the Inspector's report.
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Lancaster City Council's Local Plan for Lancaster District 2011-2031: Strategic Options for Land Allocations, what assessment his Department has made of the drainage and flood prevention measures that would be required in respect of the 5,000 new homes in the rural area of the Lune Valley that would be required under Option 5 of that plan.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
We have not made any specific assessment as the drafting of a Local Plan is a matter for the local council.
Planning guidance is clear that infrastructure requirements must be considered by councils when making plans.