Asked by: Gillian Keegan (Conservative - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which marine life and seabed habitats have been identified for protection in the proposed marine conservation zone at Selsey Bill and the Hounds.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
The features that have been identified for protection at Selsey Bill and the Hounds are:
Bracklesham Bay geological feature
Short-snouted seahorse
Subtidal mixed sediments
Subtidal sand
Peat and clay exposures
High energy infralittoral rock
Moderate energy infralittoral rock
Moderate energy circalittoral rock
Low energy infralittoral rock
Full details regarding the proposed designation of Selsey Bill and the Hounds can be found in the Third Tranche of Marine Conservation Zones consultation. Please see link here:
https://consult.defra.gov.uk/marine/consultation-on-the-third-tranche-of-marine-conser/.
Asked by: Gillian Keegan (Conservative - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the central equine database in reducing horse abandonment to date.
Answered by George Eustice
The Central Equine Database (CED) was launched on 8 March 2018. At this early stage, data is not available to make a formal assessment of its effectiveness in reducing horse abandonment. Defra laid the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 on 25 June. The regulations provide modern, effective enforcement tools to local authorities that, in combination with the CED and the powers under the Control of Horses Act 2015 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006, will help address the problem of horse abandonment.
Furthermore, the regulations require that all equines in England are microchipped by 1 October 2020, except for recognised populations of semi-wild ponies. This will further help local authorities and the police to track down the owners of abandoned horses and make sure appropriate action is taken against them, and ensure their equines are given the care they deserve.
Asked by: Gillian Keegan (Conservative - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the effect of rural crime on farmers.
Answered by George Eustice
We are working closely with the Home Office on a range of issues in relation to rural crime, including waste crime and fly-tipping and issues like sheep worrying and wildlife crime. We both also work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Rural Crime Network on these issues.