Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
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 steps required to meet the World Health Organization guideline values for PM2.5; and if he will publish those assessments.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In July 2019, the Government published a report assessing the progress that will be made towards World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines under a range of scenarios. The report concluded that while significant progress would be made, additional action would be required in large urban areas such as London. The analysis did not outline a pathway to achieve the WHO guideline level for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across the country, and did not take into account full economic viability and practical deliverability.
The Environment Bill establishes a legally binding duty to set a target for PM2.5, demonstrating our commitment to action on the air pollutant that has the most significant impact on human health. We are committed to setting challenging targets and following an evidence based process, seeking advice from a range of experts, in addition to giving consideration to the WHO’s air quality guidelines. Stakeholders, Parliament and the public will have the opportunity to comment on and provide input for the process of developing this target.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the proposed new catch recording requirements for under 10 metre fishing vessels will come into force; and whether those requirements will (a) replace or (b) be additional to the existing catch (i) landing and (ii) sales recording requirements.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The new catch recording requirements are due to come into force in summer 2019 and where possible they will replace existing catch recording documents such as the paper shellfish return. Landing declarations are not currently required from under 10 metre vessels and, following an industry consultation, this will continue to be the case under the new catch recording requirements. Sales notes are the responsibility of merchants and will still be required.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the proposed installation of inshore vessel monitoring system units on under 12m fishing vessels is planned to (a) start and (b) end; and what plans he has for the phasing of that programme.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Defra is currently reviewing feedback from stakeholders, including from a public consultation exercise, on the implementation of I-VMS for the under 12 metre fleet. The Government response was published on 2 April 2019. Defra is reviewing the implementation timetable with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and will provide information on the plan shortly.
I-VMS will be required on all under 12 metre British registered vessels fishing in English waters. The MMO is aware of some of the practical issues that can affect vessels that have no wheelhouse or irregular onboard electrics. It is working with potential suppliers to explore all possible options in order to implement a fit for purpose solution for these boats.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
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 plans to require the I-VMS units approved by the Marine Management Organisation to be installed on under 12 metre British registered vessels fishing in English waters with (a) no wheelhouse and (b) an irregular power supply.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
Defra is currently reviewing feedback from stakeholders, including from a public consultation exercise, on the implementation of I-VMS for the under 12 metre fleet. The Government response was published on 2 April 2019. Defra is reviewing the implementation timetable with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and will provide information on the plan shortly.
I-VMS will be required on all under 12 metre British registered vessels fishing in English waters. The MMO is aware of some of the practical issues that can affect vessels that have no wheelhouse or irregular onboard electrics. It is working with potential suppliers to explore all possible options in order to implement a fit for purpose solution for these boats.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to support the construction of more water desalination plants in the UK.
Answered by Thérèse Coffey
The Government is developing a national policy statement for water resources infrastructure. This will set out the need for, and streamline the delivery of, nationally significant water resources infrastructure, such as reservoirs, water transfers and desalination plants.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government is permitted to provide additional funding to the match-funding contribution of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund projects.
Answered by George Eustice
The principle legislation governing the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is The EMFF Regulation (EU 508/2014) and the Common Provisions Regulation (EU1303/2013). The EMFF regulation provides for co-financing of EMFF funds between the European Commission (EC) and the member states. Both regulations have direct effect in the UK, and apply to the Department and its executive agencies. The EU regulations are enabled in domestic legislation by the Grants for Fishing and Aquaculture Industries Regulations 2015.
Under the EMFF Regulation, the UK is obliged to submit to the European Commission the UK EMFF Operational Programme (OP), which the EC adopted on 30 November 2015. Any subsequent changes to the UK’s OP must be submitted to the EC for approval and may only take effect once that approval is granted.
In adopting the OP, governance arrangements have been put in place which underpin the implementation of EMFF for the purposes of awarding funding to projects. These arrangements are documented in the EMFF Management and Control System, with customer facing guidance notes outlining the national rules on the application of match funding publicised on each devolved administration website.
National match funding contributions were determined by each devolved administration based on specific policy priorities. This took into consideration the availability of ‘other national’ funding sources. The application of match funding allocated to projects is carried out across the UK in line with the Operational Programme. In the 2018/19 financial year, Defra has made available up to £3.8 million in national match towards eligible EMFF projects in England.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the rules governing match funding contributions by the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations to European Maritime and Fisheries Fund projects are required to be applied in the same way in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.
Answered by George Eustice
The principle legislation governing the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is The EMFF Regulation (EU 508/2014) and the Common Provisions Regulation (EU1303/2013). The EMFF regulation provides for co-financing of EMFF funds between the European Commission (EC) and the member states. Both regulations have direct effect in the UK, and apply to the Department and its executive agencies. The EU regulations are enabled in domestic legislation by the Grants for Fishing and Aquaculture Industries Regulations 2015.
Under the EMFF Regulation, the UK is obliged to submit to the European Commission the UK EMFF Operational Programme (OP), which the EC adopted on 30 November 2015. Any subsequent changes to the UK’s OP must be submitted to the EC for approval and may only take effect once that approval is granted.
In adopting the OP, governance arrangements have been put in place which underpin the implementation of EMFF for the purposes of awarding funding to projects. These arrangements are documented in the EMFF Management and Control System, with customer facing guidance notes outlining the national rules on the application of match funding publicised on each devolved administration website.
National match funding contributions were determined by each devolved administration based on specific policy priorities. This took into consideration the availability of ‘other national’ funding sources. The application of match funding allocated to projects is carried out across the UK in line with the Operational Programme. In the 2018/19 financial year, Defra has made available up to £3.8 million in national match towards eligible EMFF projects in England.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) legislation and (b) regulations govern the UK government’s ability to provide match funding for European Maritime and Fisheries Fund projects; and whether those rules apply to his Department's executive agencies in the same way as his Department.
Answered by George Eustice
The principle legislation governing the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is The EMFF Regulation (EU 508/2014) and the Common Provisions Regulation (EU1303/2013). The EMFF regulation provides for co-financing of EMFF funds between the European Commission (EC) and the member states. Both regulations have direct effect in the UK, and apply to the Department and its executive agencies. The EU regulations are enabled in domestic legislation by the Grants for Fishing and Aquaculture Industries Regulations 2015.
Under the EMFF Regulation, the UK is obliged to submit to the European Commission the UK EMFF Operational Programme (OP), which the EC adopted on 30 November 2015. Any subsequent changes to the UK’s OP must be submitted to the EC for approval and may only take effect once that approval is granted.
In adopting the OP, governance arrangements have been put in place which underpin the implementation of EMFF for the purposes of awarding funding to projects. These arrangements are documented in the EMFF Management and Control System, with customer facing guidance notes outlining the national rules on the application of match funding publicised on each devolved administration website.
National match funding contributions were determined by each devolved administration based on specific policy priorities. This took into consideration the availability of ‘other national’ funding sources. The application of match funding allocated to projects is carried out across the UK in line with the Operational Programme. In the 2018/19 financial year, Defra has made available up to £3.8 million in national match towards eligible EMFF projects in England.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of potential changes in the level of sugar beet exports after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
I would refer the honourable member to the Department’s recent submission to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into trade in sugar once the UK has left the EU.
British sugar beet producers are among the most competitive in the world and already compete effectively at world prices.
The Government also recognises the importance of the sugar cane refining industry in providing competition in the UK market and the importance of sugar cane production for some developing countries, especially those within the Commonwealth.
Once we leave the EU, the UK Government will be free to decide its own trade policies.
Asked by: Peter Aldous (Conservative - Waveney)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of potential changes in trading opportunities for British beet sugar after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
I would refer the honourable member to the Department’s recent submission to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into trade in sugar once the UK has left the EU.
British sugar beet producers are among the most competitive in the world and already compete effectively at world prices.
The Government also recognises the importance of the sugar cane refining industry in providing competition in the UK market and the importance of sugar cane production for some developing countries, especially those within the Commonwealth.
Once we leave the EU, the UK Government will be free to decide its own trade policies.