Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
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 the Government's 2010 consultation on peat, whether it is his policy that the use of peat in amateur horticulture will end and more sustainable peat-free alternatives commence in 2020.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to phasing out the use of peat in horticulture in England by 2030. In 2011 we introduced a voluntary target for amateur gardeners to phase out the use of peat by 2020 and a final voluntary phase-out target of 2030 for professional growers of fruit, vegetables and plants. While some progress has been made, we stated in the 25 Year Environment Plan that we would consider implementing further measures if there is insufficient movement to peat alternatives by 2020. We will set out our plans around the use of peat in horticulture in due course.
We are working with the industry to make the transition to peat alternatives and to overcome barriers to their use. This includes, for example, jointly funding research with the industry on peat replacements in professional horticulture.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish its review on convergence uplift payments to Scottish farmers.
Answered by George Eustice
The Secretary of State received a letter from the member for Dumfries and Galloway requesting a review of intra-UK allocations of funding for agricultural support on 26 October.
The Secretary of State also met Scottish Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing, on 6 November to discuss intra-UK allocations. We will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
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 make it his policy that farmers and crofters in Scotland will receive at least the same level of support after the UK leaves the EU as they do at present.
Answered by George Eustice
We will provide stability to UK farmers as we leave the EU and the Government has committed to provide the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament.
It will be for the Scottish Government to decide on the allocation of funding to individual schemes including the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme for 2019.
The Agriculture Bill will ensure that after we leave the EU we have an effective system in place to support UK farmers and protect our natural environment for future generations. The Secretary of State has spoken to Ministers from Scotland and Wales and officials remain in regular contact with the Northern Ireland Executive. We will continue to engage with the devolved administrations and more widely on the design and the appropriate extent of any legislation.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
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 make it his policy to guarantee funding for the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme for 2019.
Answered by George Eustice
We will provide stability to UK farmers as we leave the EU and the Government has committed to provide the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament.
It will be for the Scottish Government to decide on the allocation of funding to individual schemes including the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme for 2019.
The Agriculture Bill will ensure that after we leave the EU we have an effective system in place to support UK farmers and protect our natural environment for future generations. The Secretary of State has spoken to Ministers from Scotland and Wales and officials remain in regular contact with the Northern Ireland Executive. We will continue to engage with the devolved administrations and more widely on the design and the appropriate extent of any legislation.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is the Government's policy to (a) maintain or (b) increase the proportion of UK agricultural funding allocated to Scotland under the system that replaces the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
Answered by George Eustice
We will provide stability to UK farmers as we leave the EU and the Government has committed to provide the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament.
It will be for the Scottish Government to decide on the allocation of funding to individual schemes including the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme for 2019.
The Agriculture Bill will ensure that after we leave the EU we have an effective system in place to support UK farmers and protect our natural environment for future generations. The Secretary of State has spoken to Ministers from Scotland and Wales and officials remain in regular contact with the Northern Ireland Executive. We will continue to engage with the devolved administrations and more widely on the design and the appropriate extent of any legislation.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to review the disbursement of payments from the convergence uplift scheme.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government is considering next steps on a review of the intra-UK allocation of the CAP budget. An update will be provided shortly.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to increase tree-planting as a method of flood prevention.
Answered by Rory Stewart
In some places trees can slow the flow of water down stream and reduce the local impacts of floods. That is why flood risk management is one of the targeting criteria for woodland creation funded through the new Countryside Stewardship scheme. The Forestry Commission also continues to undertake research into understanding what role woodlands can play in managing flood risk.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
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 Forestry Commission England has spent on replanting in each year since 2000.
Answered by Rory Stewart
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway, Richard Arkless, on 5 January 2016, PQ20410.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many hectares of trees have been (a) felled and (b) replanted on Forestry Commission land in England in each year since 2000.
Answered by Rory Stewart
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway, Richard Arkless, on 5 January 2016, PQ20410.
Asked by: Ian Blackford (Scottish National Party - Ross, Skye and Lochaber)
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 make it her policy to conduct her Department's planned review of the convergence uplift payments immediately.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government has committed to undertaking a review in 2016/17 of intra-UK CAP budget allocations.