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Written Question
Food Supply
Monday 9th September 2019

Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of food security in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Answered by George Eustice

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Written Question
Air Pollution
Thursday 23rd May 2019

Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the effect of air pollution on public health.

Answered by Baroness Coffey

The Secretary of State has regular meetings with his counterpart at the Department for Health and Social Care and they discuss air pollution and public health most weeks.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 01 May 2019
Environment and Climate Change

"The UK Student Climate Network, the FridaysforFuture movement and Extinction Rebellion—these movements for climate action, driven by passion and activism, follow proud traditions of movements for change throughout our history, such as the trade unions. This week, the Communication Workers Union, at its annual conference in Bournemouth, also debated climate …..."
Hugh Gaffney - View Speech

View all Hugh Gaffney (Lab - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) contributions to the debate on: Environment and Climate Change
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 23 Apr 2019
Plastics Recycling

"As kids, we used to collect bottles. Bellshill Nisa in my area collects plastic bottles and refunds money to charities. Perhaps the Minister could take that up. Kids could pick up plastic bottles, take them back to the local shop and receive money for them...."
Hugh Gaffney - View Speech

View all Hugh Gaffney (Lab - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) contributions to the debate on: Plastics Recycling
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 09 Apr 2019
Waste Incineration: Regulation

"Some 7,000 constituents in Carnbroe rejected this for 11 years, and the council fully backs the community. The Scottish Government keep overturning that decision, however, and keep coming back. Will anyone listen to the communities who actually have to live with the incinerators?..."
Hugh Gaffney - View Speech

View all Hugh Gaffney (Lab - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) contributions to the debate on: Waste Incineration: Regulation
Speech in General Committees - Mon 25 Mar 2019
Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy and Aquaculture (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019

"On the point about the environment, can the Minister outline the limitations on the voltage and frequency? On top of that, what are the penalties if people go above them?..."
Hugh Gaffney - View Speech

View all Hugh Gaffney (Lab - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) contributions to the debate on: Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy and Aquaculture (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019
Speech in General Committees - Mon 25 Mar 2019
Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy and Aquaculture (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019

"On that 5%, we need an agreement that sustainable fishing is an important goal for the industry. Does electric pulse fishing not put sustainable fishing at risk?..."
Hugh Gaffney - View Speech

View all Hugh Gaffney (Lab - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) contributions to the debate on: Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy and Aquaculture (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019
Written Question
Food: Labelling
Friday 1st March 2019

Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with EU representatives on labelling requirements for UK food companies in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Answered by David Rutley

Negotiations with the EU are currently restricted to the withdrawal deal. The status of UK food products in the EU market will depend on the outcome of those negotiations.

Following a consultation exercise with the food industry, discussions with the European Commission, and agreement with Defra, the final design for the new health and ID marks has been agreed. This will ensure the UK continues to have the ability to export products of animal origin to the EU. We are also aiming to be recognised by the EU as having equivalence to organic standards and establish reciprocal arrangements though at present there is no agreement on this.

Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. As a responsible Government would, we are accelerating no deal preparations to ensure the country is prepared for every eventuality. Businesses and citizens should ensure they are similarly prepared.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Jan 2019
European Union (Withdrawal) Act

"Thank you for calling me to speak, Mr Speaker—you are saving the best til last. This is an important debate that will shape the future of our country for years to come. It was an eventful few days before the House rose for the Christmas recess, and the Prime Minister …..."
Hugh Gaffney - View Speech

View all Hugh Gaffney (Lab - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) contributions to the debate on: European Union (Withdrawal) Act
Written Question
Trade Agreements
Thursday 29th November 2018

Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)

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 Secretary of State for International Trade on setting environmental and animal welfare standards for future trade deals.

Answered by George Eustice

Ministers and officials from Defra meet regularly with their counterparts in the Department for International Trade to discuss a wide range of trade issues.