Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to publish the consultation on restricting Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in consumer articles.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government published a PFAS Plan on 3 February 2026. This sets out the Government’s approach towards PFAS in consumer articles.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information she holds on when the Animal Welfare Committee plans to publish its report on the responsible sourcing of fur.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter.
The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
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 publish a response to the call for evidence on the fur trade, published on 31 May 2021.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter.
The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the working group on fur will be established; and whether animal welfare organisations will be asked to participate.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter.
The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) objectives and (b) workplan will be for the working group on fur.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we will publish the results of the previous Government’s call for evidence on the fur trade. Defrawill also publish and consider carefully the report from the Animal Welfare Committee on the responsible sourcing of fur. This is due to be completed shortly and will be published on GOV.UK thereafter.
The strategy also stated that we will bring together a working group on fur. The group will include both industry experts as well as those who support restrictions on the trade in fur. The aim of the working group will be to explore concerns regarding the trade in fur and the different ways in which they could be addressed.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure that water companies provide low income customers with cheaper social tariffs.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government expects water companies to ensure their customers know what support schemes are available and how to access them if they need help. Companies offer a range of support schemes for customers struggling to afford their bills, including social tariffs, WaterSure, debt support schemes, financial hardship funds, flexible payment plans and payment breaks.
All companies voluntarily offer social tariff schemes for households – each setting their own eligibility criteria and level of support. Defra is working with water companies to ensure social tariffs are more consistent and taken up by those most in need. Defra also expects companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030.
Additionally, the Government has committed to reforming the WaterSure scheme to extend scope and increase support to low-income households who have higher water usage due to medical needs or three or more children.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether all species of Zebra will be included in the proposed ban on hunting trophies.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope for a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Timeframes for introducing legislation and details of its scope will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is determined.
Species of conservation concern are listed primarily on Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) based on the level of threat that international trade poses to their conservation status.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the health of the sea horse population in Poole harbour.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Protected sites do afford some protection to habitats associated with seahorses. Seahorses are also a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; but the legislation makes no provision for monitoring or reporting on the condition of the population.
Seahorses are known to be present in Poole Harbour and seahorse surveys have been carried out by the Seahorse Trust; evidence of their presence has also been identified from surveys not focused on the species. Collectively the evidence indicates a resident population of seahorses found year-round in the harbour.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timescale her Department has for banning trophy hunting imports.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern.
Timeframes for introducing legislation will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is determined.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish a consultation on amending the Hunting Act 2004.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Department has no plans to publish a consultation on amending the Hunting Act 2004. The Department will consult early this year on how to deliver a ban on trail hunting.