Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 27 Oct 2022
National Food Strategy and Food Security
"That relates to the transparency that some people are calling for to know what they are eating and enjoying, to appreciate the difference in cost and the treatment the animals have gone through. Fair competition can only really come from accurate labelling and transparency on produce. The UK produces some …..."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 27 Oct 2022
National Food Strategy and Food Security
"I want to explain that I make a fabulous chickpea soup and stew. If anyone would like to know the recipes, I will be more than happy to share them...."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 27 Oct 2022
National Food Strategy and Food Security
"Some 650 million...."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 27 Oct 2022
National Food Strategy and Food Security
"I want to thank all Members in the House for coming here today and taking part in this debate on food security and the national food strategy. It has been wide-ranging and timely, there has been much consensus across the House and it has been highly constructive. It has only …..."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 27 Oct 2022
National Food Strategy and Food Security
"Yes...."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 29 Jun 2022
Flooding: Irwell Vale and Surrounding Areas
"I will call Jake Berry to move the motion, after which I will call the Minister to respond. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is convention for a 30-minute debate...."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 29th June 2022
Asked by:
Esther McVey (Conservative - Tatton)
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 merits of (a) allowing farmers to shoot dogs that attack sheep and (b) allowing dog owners to train dogs not to attack sheep using electronic collars.
Answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury
The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications, which can be very significant.
New measures to crack down on livestock worrying in England and Wales are to be brought in through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which was introduced in Parliament on 8 June 2021.
The new measures will enhance enforcement mechanisms available to the police and expand the scope of livestock species and locations covered by the law. Improved powers will enable the police to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively – making it easier for them to collect evidence and, in the most serious cases, seize and detain dogs to reduce the risk of further incidents.
The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill does not include a provision to allow a farmer to shoot a dog which is worrying livestock on their land. However the Animals Act 1971 provides that in civil proceedings against a person for killing or injuring a dog, it is a defence in certain circumstances where a dog is killed or injured by someone protecting livestock.
The proposed ban on the use of electric shock collars controlled by hand-held devices was developed after considering a broad range of factors, including the effects of such a ban. When considered alongside the academic research, the public consultation responses, and direct engagement with the sector, the Government concluded that these devices present a risk to the welfare of dogs and cats and that their use should be prohibited.
We appreciate that the right approach for pet owners to take in managing and controlling their dog’s behaviour differs from both person to person and from pet to pet. Defra would advise all owners who are concerned about controlling their dog’s behaviour, for whatever reason, to take advice from their vet or a suitably qualified dog behaviourist or trainer. Such specialists would be best positioned to advise on the best approach for their specific case. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council maintains national registers of appropriately qualified trainers and behaviourists which can be found at the link below: https://abtc.org.uk/practitioners/.
Defra’s statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs and Natural England’s refreshed version of the Countryside Code apply to handling dogs in the vicinity of livestock and outline the actions that can be taken by dog owners to reduce the occurrence of attacks or chasing.
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 30 Nov 2021
UK-EU Fisheries Allocations
"Before we begin, I remind Members that they are expected to wear face coverings when they are not speaking in the debate, in line with current Government and House of Commons Commission guidance. I remind Members that they are asked by the House to have a covid lateral flow test …..."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 30 Nov 2021
UK-EU Fisheries Allocations
"I am not minded to set a speech limit, but everyone should know that we will go to the Front-Bench spokespersons at 10.25 am...."Esther McVey - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 30 Nov 2021
UK-EU Fisheries Allocations
"I too would like to extend praise to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Luke Pollard) for all his hard work and his contributions.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That this House has considered allocations to UK-EU fisheries following the UK’s departure from the EU...."Esther McVey - View Speech
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