Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many local authority checks have been undertaken on non multi-boarding dog boarding hosts since the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 were published.
Answered by David Rutley
The 2018 Regulations updated the regulatory regimes for a number of licensed animal related activities, including different styles of dog boarding, by introducing strict statutory minimum welfare standards. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the 2018 Regulations and have powers to issue or revoke licences, and powers of entry and inspection. Each local authority would hold the information requested and the Government does not require it to be submitted centrally.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average cost is of a premise check for a non multi-boarding dog boarding host since the implementation of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
Answered by David Rutley
The 2018 Regulations updated the regulatory regimes for a number of licensed animal related activities, including different styles of dog boarding, by introducing strict statutory minimum welfare standards. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the 2018 Regulations and have powers to issue or revoke licences, and powers of entry and inspection. Each local authority would hold the information requested and the Government does not require it to be submitted centrally.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take facilitate cooperation between the four countries of the UK on shared environmental challenges after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we have a shared interest in protecting our environment. Ministers are in regular discussion with counterparts in the devolved administrations. On 18 February this year we agreed to establish the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This Group provides central coordination and promotes greater collaboration in areas of shared interest, including the environment, between the relevant portfolio ministers in the UK administrations.
When we leave the EU, many of the returning powers will pass to the devolved administrations. In some policy areas it will be necessary to agree common frameworks in respect of these returning powers. We are working with the devolved administrations to develop these in accordance with the principles agreed at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) on 16 October 2017. These principles are outlined in the Joint Ministerial Communique: www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-ministerial-committee-communique-16-october-2017. Progress in developing the frameworks was reported to Parliament on 7 February this year: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-second-european-union-withdrawal-act-and-common-frameworks-report.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
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 reduce plastics that are present in oceans.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
The UK has made significant progress to address the scourge of plastic in the oceans. Our ban on microbeads in cosmetic and personal care products, one of the strongest in the world, came into force in June 2018. We are also researching the management of other sources of microplastics such as microfibres in tyres and the textile industry, which will help to inform future policy measures. Our plastic bag charge has led to an 86% reduction in the use of plastic carrier bags and last year alone raised over £51million for environmental causes.
We are also consulting on banning or restricting the distribution and/or sale of plastic stemmed cotton buds, stirrers and straws.
The UK is committed to our international work to lead action on the global threat of marine litter. We continue to actively engage internationally through OSPAR, the G7 and the G20, and the UN. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance, a ground-breaking initiative working with our Commonwealth partners to reduce marine plastic pollution. To help deliver this, we committed an ambitious package of up to £66.4m of UK Aid to drive research and innovation and stop plastic from entering into the oceans in the first place. Through this alliance we will build on the UK’s world-leading microbeads ban and 5p plastic bag charge to harness the full power of the Commonwealth in safeguarding our marine environment for future generations.
Although 80% of plastic waste comes from land, 20% comes from oceans sources. Ghost fishing gear accounts for 10% of all plastic waste in the ocean and presents acute threats to marine life. That is why the UK signed up to the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) in 2016, a pioneering scheme tackling lost and abandoned fishing gear on a global scale. Through this initiative we are committed to working with our partners to address the management of existing ghost gear and the mitigation of potential ghost gear.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
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 mitigate market volatility in the agriculture sector.
Answered by George Eustice
We want to help farmers manage risks and plan more effectively. The best way of improving resilience in the farming sector is to support increases in farm productivity, promote better animal and plant health, and to make sure farmers have access to the tools they need to effectively manage their risk. Recognising that farm business incomes fluctuate year to year, Government expanded tax smoothing to five years in 2015.
We are reviewing what data may be needed to support the development of market-based tools to manage volatility - for example futures markets or index insurance tools which rely on transparent data reporting. We are also considering how to improve the Government’s response to major crises.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to increase the UK's level of self-sufficiency in food; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
The UK’s current production to supply ratio is 76% for indigenous-type foods and 60% for all foods. This has remained steady over the last decade and is not low in the context of the last 150 years. Self-sufficiency is not in itself an indicator of food security. The UK sources food from a diverse range of countries, in addition to a strong domestic production base. This will not change after leaving the EU.
The Government wants to see an efficient, productive and competitive domestic farming industry able to grow more, sell more and export more of our fantastic British food.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effect on levels of employment of introducing a 25p levy on disposable coffee cups; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
We are aware of calls for levies to be added to single use coffee cups, following the Environmental Audit Committee’s recent report. We are carefully considering the Committee’s recommendations and will respond shortly.
We have not made an assessment of the potential effect of this proposed levy on levels of employment.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
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 begin a public consultation on a levy to be raised on plastic cups.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
We will shortly be launching a call for evidence seeking views on how the tax system or charges could reduce the amount of waste produced by the most environmentally damaging single use plastics. HM Treasury and Defra are working closely together to develop this.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures he is taking to ensure chemicals used in agriculture are not detrimental to the bee population.
Answered by George Eustice
All pesticides are subject to a stringent authorisation process before they can be placed on the market and used. At the centre of this process is an assessment by the Health and Safety Executive of scientific information on the risks that can arise from the use of these products. If the risks to people or to the environment are unacceptable, the pesticide is not authorised. Possible risks to bees are considered in this process.
Conditions are placed on the use of authorised pesticides to ensure the protection of people and the environment. These conditions may include maximum dose rates or restrictions on timing and place of application. Farmers and growers are required by law to take all reasonable precautions when using pesticides and to confine applications to the target area.
Asked by: Nigel Evans (Conservative - Ribble Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received on the merits of banning all plastic bags in pursuit of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 on conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
We have received representations from the French Government to join a coalition to build a political impetus towards the elimination of single-use plastic bags. The associated declaration makes clear that this goal can be achieved through a variety of measures. Our 5p charge on single use carrier bags is a good example of how we are contributing towards a reduction in the use of single-use plastic bags.