Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of replacing the Environment Land Management scheme with an area-based payment scheme on efforts to halt biodiversity decline by 2030.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
HM Government has reiterated its commitment to environmental protections and we are not scrapping Environmental Land Management schemes. Subsidies are untargeted, poor value for money, and they undermine efficiency and productivity improvements.
As set out in the Growth Plan, we will be looking at the frameworks for regulation, innovation and investment that impact farmers and land managers, to make sure that our policies are best placed to both boost food production and protect the environment. This includes looking at how best to deliver the Environmental Land Management schemes to see where and how improvements can be made, and we will continue to work closely with the sector to ensure these are designed and delivered in their best interests.
Farmers and land managers will play an essential role in halting the decline in species, including farmland birds and insects, by 2030.
We will publish more information on Environmental Land Management schemes by the end of the year.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) necessity and (b) appropriateness of desalination technology for meeting the UK’s long-term water challenges.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government recognises the need for new water resources infrastructure, including reservoirs and water transfers, alongside reducing leakage and conserving water to provide a secure supply of water for future generations and to protect our environment.
The National Framework for Water Resources (launched in March 2020) brings together industry, regulators and Government to transform the way we use and look after our water supplies, including the need to reduce demand, halve leakage and develop new supplies.
The water industry is now working in regional groups to deliver the action needed to meet the challenge set out in the Framework to make sure water supplies remain secure. This includes looking at how they will accommodate new buildings and investigating what new infrastructure projects are required, such as desalination.
As part of the current price review round (PR19), Ofwat has allocated a £469 million fund for water companies to expedite and progress the development of new water infrastructure. Additionally, the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has been formed to help accelerate the development of new water infrastructure and design future regulatory frameworks to enable this development.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to announce whether the temporary ban on the importation of dogs and cats from Romania, Belarus, and Poland will continue beyond October 29th 2022.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government has made the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of commercial cats, dogs, and ferrets (including rescue animals) dispatched or originating from Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, and Poland for a further eight weeks to the 29 October 2022.
We continue to engage with competent authorities in impacted countries, the European Commission, and external partners (including rescue and rehoming charities) to gather data and information to enable us to keep the biosecurity risks to Great Britain under review. The measure is under constant review based on the evidence provided to ensure it is proportionate to the risks posed.
The Government appreciates the work of rescue and rehoming organisations who work to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals are given the opportunity to find a forever home whilst complying with our animal health and welfare legislation.
Given this is a fluid situation it may not always be possible to give advance notice of any extension to the measure. We continue to engage with external partners including rescue and rehoming organisations based here and abroad, veterinary experts and carriers on the impact and future of the measure.
That is why this is only a temporary measure, to ensure that we protect our biosecurity at this challenging time. Given the consequences of getting this wrong, I hope you will understand why we are being cautious.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2022 to Question 38558 on Cats and Dogs: Imports, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of rescue and rehoming organisations on the mitigation of biosecurity risks relating to the importation of dogs and cats from Romania, Belarus, and Poland.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government has made the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of commercial cats, dogs, and ferrets (including rescue animals) dispatched or originating from Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, and Poland for a further eight weeks to the 29 October 2022.
We continue to engage with competent authorities in impacted countries, the European Commission, and external partners (including rescue and rehoming charities) to gather data and information to enable us to keep the biosecurity risks to Great Britain under review. The measure is under constant review based on the evidence provided to ensure it is proportionate to the risks posed.
The Government appreciates the work of rescue and rehoming organisations who work to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals are given the opportunity to find a forever home whilst complying with our animal health and welfare legislation.
Given this is a fluid situation it may not always be possible to give advance notice of any extension to the measure. We continue to engage with external partners including rescue and rehoming organisations based here and abroad, veterinary experts and carriers on the impact and future of the measure.
That is why this is only a temporary measure, to ensure that we protect our biosecurity at this challenging time. Given the consequences of getting this wrong, I hope you will understand why we are being cautious.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with rescue and rehoming organisations on the potential impact on their operations of the extension of the ban on the importation of dogs and cats from Romania, Poland, and Belarus until 29 October 2022.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government has made the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of commercial cats, dogs, and ferrets (including rescue animals) dispatched or originating from Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, and Poland for a further eight weeks to the 29 October 2022.
We continue to engage with competent authorities in impacted countries, the European Commission, and external partners (including rescue and rehoming charities) to gather data and information to enable us to keep the biosecurity risks to Great Britain under review. The measure is under constant review based on the evidence provided to ensure it is proportionate to the risks posed.
The Government appreciates the work of rescue and rehoming organisations who work to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals are given the opportunity to find a forever home whilst complying with our animal health and welfare legislation.
Given this is a fluid situation it may not always be possible to give advance notice of any extension to the measure. We continue to engage with external partners including rescue and rehoming organisations based here and abroad, veterinary experts and carriers on the impact and future of the measure.
That is why this is only a temporary measure, to ensure that we protect our biosecurity at this challenging time. Given the consequences of getting this wrong, I hope you will understand why we are being cautious.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
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 Cabinet colleagues on the steps Government could take to increase the number of foreign nationals coming to the UK to work in veterinary care.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the importance of veterinarians who want to live and work in the UK and make a significant contribution to animal health. It is important that we do not just attract undergraduates but also provide for existing veterinary staff to have a fulfilling and satisfying career. The dropout rate from the profession is concerning. Therefore government officials are considering what can be done to attract and retain staff in the veterinary sector.
We are currently considering the proposals received from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and are also exploring how best to revise veterinary legislation accordingly.
Following advice from Defra and the veterinary sector, the veterinary profession was added to the Government's Shortage Occupation List in September 2019. This has enabled employers to recruit overseas veterinary surgeons more easily. We will provide expert analysis and advice when the Shortage Occupation List is next reviewed.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to tackle staffing shortages in the veterinary sector.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the importance of veterinarians who want to live and work in the UK and make a significant contribution to animal health. It is important that we do not just attract undergraduates but also provide for existing veterinary staff to have a fulfilling and satisfying career. The dropout rate from the profession is concerning. Therefore government officials are considering what can be done to attract and retain staff in the veterinary sector.
We are currently considering the proposals received from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and are also exploring how best to revise veterinary legislation accordingly.
Following advice from Defra and the veterinary sector, the veterinary profession was added to the Government's Shortage Occupation List in September 2019. This has enabled employers to recruit overseas veterinary surgeons more easily. We will provide expert analysis and advice when the Shortage Occupation List is next reviewed.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of UK nationals being admitted to veterinary school.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the importance of veterinarians who want to live and work in the UK and make a significant contribution to animal health. It is important that we do not just attract undergraduates but also provide for existing veterinary staff to have a fulfilling and satisfying career. The dropout rate from the profession is concerning. Therefore government officials are considering what can be done to attract and retain staff in the veterinary sector.
We are currently considering the proposals received from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and are also exploring how best to revise veterinary legislation accordingly.
Following advice from Defra and the veterinary sector, the veterinary profession was added to the Government's Shortage Occupation List in September 2019. This has enabled employers to recruit overseas veterinary surgeons more easily. We will provide expert analysis and advice when the Shortage Occupation List is next reviewed.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
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 he has made of the severity of sewage overflow incidents reported in 2022.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The only reason that the Government has been able to take action to reduce storm overflows is because of the increase in monitoring under this Government, from 5% in 2016 to almost 90% of the sewage network. The latest assessment shows sewage discharges cause 7% of waterbodies to fail to achieve Good Ecological Status. This is unacceptable.
Our Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan will prevent waterbodies from failing to meet Good Ecological Status due to storm discharges and will frontload action to protect bathing waters. We take robust action against illegal discharges. The EA and Ofwat have launched major investigations into suspected non-compliance at sewage treatment works.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
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 supermarket retailers on the steps retailers are taking to ensure that clinically extremely vulnerable people have continued access to priority online shopping deliveries over the Christmas period.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Defra is continuing to work closely with supermarkets to provide clinically extremely vulnerable individuals in England with priority access to supermarket delivery slots. Between 2 December and 5 January, any clinically extremely vulnerable person living in a Tier Three or Tier Four local area who did not already have priority access to delivery slots was still able to register for this support through the Government website: www.gov.uk/coronavirus-shielding-support.
During the third lockdown, all clinically extremely vulnerable people are able to register for priority access to delivery slots with seven supermarkets: Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose. All clinically extremely vulnerable individuals who have registered through the Government website will retain their priority access to delivery slots until at least March 2021.